Estimated studying time: 13 minutes
For the previous few months, I’ve been utilizing the Sig Cross Sawtooth Magnum for my Spring searching and taking pictures actions. I began out being unimpressed by the rifle, however the extra I used it, the extra it grew on me. Listed here are some takeaways from my expertise.
Sawtooth Barrel
The very first thing I seen on the Sawtooth was the barrel. It’s a Proof carbon, and I’ve shot rifles with these barrels threaded on the top of actions up to now. They’ve all shot effectively, and I used to be excited to see if this one would stay as much as its popularity. The barrel is 24 inches lengthy and threaded 5/8×24. It comes with a muzzle break connected to the top of it from the manufacturing unit. It’s a radial break that I discover ineffective. I would like a thread protector over a break that may throw grime and dirt in every single place whereas taking pictures susceptible. I perceive that producers can produce these breaks for nearly the identical value as a thread protector, however I want they’d provide you with a greater design.
Earlier than I fired a single shot, I took it off and changed it with my Odin Works Enduro suppressor. I left all 5 baffles on the suppressor for this rifle, because it’s not meant to be a light-weight gun to begin with. The Enduro did a terrific job of taming the percussion and recoil out of the rifle. With it connected, it was pleasant to shoot. I’m very delicate to percussion, and this can be a should for me.
Accuracy
I used to be capable of get 4 completely different manufacturing unit hundreds for the Sawtooth, which is chambered in 7PRC. The gun got here with a Sig Sauer Whiskey 6 3x18x44 mounted to it. I used this scope for load testing. Throughout testing, I knew that I wasn’t getting all of the accuracy out of the gun that it was able to. The crosshairs of the scope are slightly too thick for precision taking pictures, and the glass shouldn’t be as clear as I might have appreciated it to be. I felt as if I may squeeze a minimum of one other tenth of an inch out of the teams with a greater scope. All teams have been fired at 100 yards, and every shot was chronographed with my Garmin Xero.
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Hornady 180 Gr ELDM
First pictures down vary have been the Hornady Match 180 grain ELDMs. They shot .674 inches with a mean pace of 2831 FPS and an excessive unfold of 15 FPS. With a G7 BC of .360, this load is an absolute long-range tack driver.
Hornady 175 Gr ELDX Precision Hunter
Subsequent was the Hornady 175 gr ELDX Precision Hunter. They shot a .786 in group with a mean pace of 2848 FPS and an excessive unfold of 29 FPS. The 175 ELDX has a G7 B.C of .347 and would show to be a wonderful selection for large sport searching.
Federal Premium 175 ELDX
Subsequent was the Federal Premium 175 ELDX. They shot a .835 inch group with a mean pace of 2924 FPS and an excessive unfold of 77 FPS. Though these bullets shot okay, the acute unfold is just too nice for me to think about them for long-range taking pictures.
Nosler 175 Gr Accubond Lengthy Vary
Final was the Nosler 175 grain Accubond Lengthy Vary. They shot a really spectacular .358 inch group with a mean pace of 2897 and an excessive unfold of 87 FPS. A good friend of mine was beneficiant sufficient to provide me three of those shells to check. I used to be grateful for this as a field of 20 will run you round $100. The group was incredible, however the excessive unfold (together with the worth tag) would hold me away from utilizing them for long-range taking pictures.
I ended up placing a Leupold VX-5 scope on the Sawtooth after a month or so and needed to shoot one other group to zero the rifle. The one ammo I had left was the Hornady Precision Hunter 175 ELDX. I used to be capable of shoot a .5 inch group with the brand new scope, an enchancment of .25 inches. The FPS and excessive unfold stayed nearly precisely the identical, which is simply what you need when taking pictures lengthy vary.
Sawtooth Motion
After I started testing the Sawtooth rifle, I used to be upset within the motion of the Sawtooth. It’s not a easy motion, nevertheless it’s additionally not tough by any means. For the worth tag, I assumed it could be extra on par with a few of the smoother actions available on the market. It has constructive engagement and disengagement as you cycle; you positively know what it’s doing. It simply doesn’t do it with a buttery easy really feel of a Tikka, Seekins PH3, or perhaps a Browning. I’ve been attempting to provide you with a greater description than “clunky” for it, however up to now that’s the adjective that matches greatest.
It does cycle flawlessly, which is what’s vital. The bolt has three locking lugs and a 60-degree throw. It travels again in a channel that’s minimize into the inventory, making it not possible to torque the bolt out of alignment when taking pictures in uncomfortable positions or attempting to rack it as shortly as potential. Understanding you’re going to have the ability to feed a spherical into the chamber irrespective of the way you cycle the bolt is an efficient factor, particularly when taking pictures in high-pressure environments akin to fight engagements or PRS tournaments, the place time is cash. The motion comes with a 20 MOA rail mounted on the highest of it.
Sawtooth Set off
With the primary pictures down vary, I used to be additionally unimpressed by the set off. It’s a two-stage set off, which I’m not towards. Nevertheless, as soon as I received to the wall of the set off, it was slightly spongy earlier than it broke. I used to be nonetheless capable of shoot good teams with it, nevertheless it was noticeable whereas taking pictures. I went house and adjusted it, which is a quite simple course of that requires one device, and also you don’t should take away the inventory. That is how all set off changes for all rifles needs to be. My solely criticism on the adjustment of the set off is that the screw doesn’t have clicks (A really minor criticism) The set off was breaking at 2.75 lbs. After taking it all the way down to 2.1 lbs, the sponginess on the again finish of the pull earlier than the break went away. It’s now adequate for what I contemplate precision taking pictures.
Sawtooth Inventory
The inventory on the Sawtooth rifle is superior, and it has room for enchancment. The forend has Mlok in every single place you would have to mount something to it. I put a swivel stud adapter for a Harris bipod on this one. There may be additionally roughly 4 inches of arca rail situated on the again of the forend close to the magwell for taking pictures off of a tripod.
It accepts AICS-style magazines. The one it got here with holds six rounds of seven PRC. It has ambidextrous magazine releases situated on each side of the set off guard. It additionally has ambidextrous AR-style security and an AR-style pistol grip. I discovered that the pistol grip made the rifle cumbersome to shoot with the top of my set off finger. I wound up having my taking pictures hand principally off the pistol grip to interrupt pictures the best way I felt most comfy. With my hand securely on the grip, my finger can be resting previous my final knuckle on my finger for contact with the set off. If this have been my private rifle, I might swap the grip out for one I most popular.
It Folds!
The folding inventory is a house run, making the lengthy rifle (particularly after including 9 inches of suppressor) manageable. I used to be capable of put it into my Eberlestock pack and trip my bike with it. With out the folding inventory, it could have been too lengthy and caught on each department and limb. It did stick within the open place after I took it for a four-wheeler trip, although, and I had to make use of a screwdriver to get it to perform once more. So far as I can inform, the mechanism that permits the inventory to fold and open received gunked up with mud and particles and what regarded like the beginning of some rust. After cleansing and making use of WD-40, it was working once more.
The buttstock can also be absolutely adjustable for each size of pull and cheek weld.. Whereas I didn’t really feel the necessity to regulate both for my taking pictures fashion, it’s good to have the choice. It additionally has a bag rider.
Actual World Purposes with the Sawtooth
Now, for what actually issues. How would the Sig Cross Sawtooth carry out throughout actual searching eventualities, and never from a bench? The primary critter I got here throughout whereas packing the Sawtooth was a coyote. He was working his method in the direction of me and would come into my wind pretty shortly. I received arrange in susceptible, ranged the place I assumed he would cease, and dialed the elevation. The shot was solely 318 yards, and the 180 ELDM hit proper the place the cross hairs have been positioned.
The second coyote was a greater state of affairs for the Sawtooth. It was 611 yards away, and it knew I used to be there. I as soon as once more dropped susceptible, ranged the place I assumed it could cease, dialed the elevation, and despatched the 180 ELDM as quickly because it stopped, understanding he wouldn’t maintain nonetheless for lengthy. Virtually double the yardage as the primary coyote, however the consequence was the identical. The bullet impacted precisely the place the crosshairs have been, although I used to be taking pictures quick. In case you’re questioning, a 7 PRC makes a large number out of coyotes.
Bear Looking
I used to be primarily searching bears and had been seeing a bear that wasn’t fairly large enough for me to shoot. I requested a good friend if he needed it, and he enthusiastically agreed. He requested if he may borrow a rifle, as he was at present in between scopes on his searching setup. I advised him I had simply the one. My good friend is a Regulation Enforcement Sniper whom I’ve recognized and competed with for years. I knew he would make an excellent shot on the bear if given the prospect. After he made the 4-hour drive to the searching spot, we set out after the bear with him packing the Sawtooth.
When the bear got here out into the clearing to feed on inexperienced grass, there was nonetheless loads of daylight left, and he made an ideal shot at just below 200 yards. The 175 gr. ELDX carried out completely, increasing and leaving a big exit gap within the bear’s vitals. Bears are notoriously robust, and although he was lifeless on his toes, the bear nonetheless tried to run throughout the clearing to thick, nasty cowl the place it could be arduous to get better him. My good friend very calmly racked one other spherical and despatched it on the working bear, miss! He racked one other spherical, adjusted for the working shot, and hit the bear solidly, knocking him off of his toes earlier than he entered the thicket. Even with two well-placed bullets in it, the bear nonetheless clung to life for an additional 30 seconds or so earlier than it expired. They’re very robust animals.
On Your Radar
I lived in Custer County, Idaho, for a decade of my life, which is house to the Sawtooth Mountain vary, and I might not try to pack the Sig Cross Sawtooth Magnum into them. Sig claims a weight of 8.1 kilos, and I felt each ounce of it whereas packing it round this spring. After a scope, rings, loaded magazine, sling, bipod, and suppressor, if you wish to be civilized, you’re going to have a searching weight of nearer to 12 lbs. Whereas I might not personally buy the Sawtooth as a searching rifle, that doesn’t imply another person shouldn’t. If weight doesn’t deter you, then this rifle needs to be in your radar.
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Closing Sawtooth Ideas – Heavy and Correct
Sig has very correctly partnered with Proof, and that relationship has resulted in a really correct rifle that’s able to taking pictures manufacturing unit ammunition out to very lengthy distances very constantly. The Sawtooth comes with a sub-moa assure, and it simply held up that assure with each sort of manufacturing unit ammunition I put by means of it (even with a scope that was costing it tenths of an inch). I’ve not discovered that to be a typical theme amongst rifles. Typically, yow will discover one manufacturing unit load out of 4 that shoots 1 MOA. The Sig Cross Sawtooth shot all 4 of them effectively beneath 1 MOA. I might not hesitate to make use of this rifle as a sniper rifle for both Regulation Enforcement or Navy functions. After killing his bear, my good friend advised me that he desires to purchase the Sig Cross Sawtooth Magnum to make use of as his searching rifle.
I do suppose that SIG may supply one other version of the Sawtooth, say a light-weight version. There are loads of locations to shave weight off of this rifle (I believe a 20 oz discount might be simply achieved), and I’m positive that there are a number of corporations who already supply some aftermarket components or are at present engaged on it. The one factor I might suggest Sig doesn’t change on the Cross Sawtooth is the Proof Barrel. Accuracy is king.
Nice Rifle
Sig providing the Cross Sawtooth within the 7 PRC can also be a really sensible selection. The 7PRC’s quick twist fee permits it to stabilize very excessive B.C bullets that Hornady has accessible in very correct and constant manufacturing unit ammo. If I had a bigger provide of ammo, I might be taking pictures metal out to a mile with this rifle whereas guffawing uncontrollably with each hit, and it wouldn’t be that a lot of a problem.
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Jorden Doggett brings real-world expertise and precision to the GunsAmerica staff as a legislation enforcement sniper, licensed firearms teacher, and devoted long-range shooter. His background in tactical coaching and real-time decision-making within the subject provides him a novel and credible perspective on gear, ballistics, and marksmanship.
Off-duty, Jorden is a passionate hunter who spends as a lot time as potential within the mountains chasing elk, deer, bears, coyotes, and wolves. Whether or not he’s behind a scope, within the subject along with his rifle, or coaching the following era of shooters, he brings self-discipline, perception, and grit to all the things he does.
Expertise:
– Regulation Enforcement Sniper – Lively-duty LEO sniper with intensive tactical coaching and operational expertise.– Licensed Firearms Teacher – State-certified LEO firearms teacher with a give attention to rifle and precision taking pictures.– Lengthy-Vary Marksman – Deeply skilled long-range shooter with a robust background in precision rifle work.– Huge Recreation & Predator Hunter – Hunts elk, deer, coyotes, bears, and wolves throughout rugged terrain.– Ballistics & Gear Knowledgeable – Trusted voice on tactical tools, rifles, optics, and efficiency beneath strain.– Mission-Pushed – Dedicated to excellence, security, and advancing firearms data in each skilled and civilian circles.
