SIG Sauer continues to do things their way. It is hard to argue against this considering their extended run of success. With personal defense, law enforcement, and military centric products such an integral part of their business model, when the bolt-action Cross was introduced in 2019 many were surprised. The reason for this was because the Cross was not tactical in nature. Rather the Cross was a blend of hunting rifle with precision rifle. Lightweight and handy combined with accuracy to summarize early press releases.
SIG Sauer Cross Sawtooth
To date, the Cross lineup exists of seven different models–the original Cross, Trax, Magnum, STX, PRS, along with the 277 Fury and Magnum Sawtooth rifles that were announced at the recent SIG NEXT Event. The Sawtooth was introduced by Meat Eater’s Steven Rinella. He announced he will be using the Cross Magnum Sawtooth exclusively in the upcoming season of Meat Eater hunting adventures.
Each Cross emphasizes different characteristics of the original, including lighter weight, more emphasis on accuracy for PRS-style shooting activities, increased power via cartridge expansion, and/or blending of these traits. The Sawtooth distinguishes itself in the Cross lineup thanks to its 24-inch Proof Research Carbon-Fiber precision barrel with threaded-on stainless steel radial brake, 7mm PRC and 300 PRC chambering options, fully adjustable folding buttstock, SIG Match trigger set between 2.5-4 pounds, lightweight ARCA integrated M-Lok handguard with dual sling points and a Cerakote Moss finish on receiver, forend, and buttstock. A sub-MOA test target arrives with every Sawtooth rifle.
During the SIG NEXT Event my eyes locked on the Sawtooth during the initial evening meet and greet, with me quickly searching it out during next day’s range time. Typical of SIG, the Cross shooting station had several Sawtooth present for participants to get behind. Targets stretched from 100 yards out to several hundred yards. I requested one chambered in 7mm PRC as I moved onto the next shooting station.
Cross Advantage
SIG has chosen to go a different path with the Sawtooth when compared to the overweight chassis rifles that can be found on the market. The desirable characteristics for a precision bolt-action rifle are cold bore zero retention, accuracy, extended effective range, reliability, and handling. One overarching theme with the Cross Sawtooth is keeping weight down so as to maximize user efficiency.
You carry a rifle far more than you shoot it. No matter the role envisioned, whether competition, hunting, or even tactical (though not marketed as such, SIG LE Sales have already received inquiries about the Sawtooth), there can be no compromise in terms of consistent accuracy. The key here is the monolithic Cross receiver/action. The action is entirely independent with the folding buttstock attaching to its rear and the barrel assembly to its front. The Sawtooth offers enhanced cartridge performance while maintaining Cross characteristics of accuracy and relative lightweight with handy ergonomics.
The Cross is incredibly rigid, yet light, thanks to one-piece receiver versus the typical method of setting the receiver/action/barrel into a separate stock or chassis. It eliminates need for bedding, action screws, and other means of conjoining. The Cross one-piece receiver interacts directly with trigger, bolt, detachable magazine and barrel mounting. All of this is a change from typical bolt-action methods and serves to minimize many potential sources of diminished accuracy. Following this theme, a barrel extension and nut is used to secure barrel to the action, making barrel changes simple. The Cross receiver is more in line with the barrel, minimizing barrel whip/harmonics. The CROSS design offers a rock solid backbone conducive to long-range shooting. The Sawtooth features tight tolerance bore/groove rifling dimensions, minimum headspace and a trued chamber.
Beefy Bolt, Machined Receiver
The Sawtooth bolt is a three-lug hunk of metal within the machined aluminum receiver. Three locking lugs give it a 60-degree handle lift—one of the shortest on the market. Scopes can be mounted low due to the minimal bolt lift. The Cross bolt’s short throw combined with smooth operation makes for one slick bolt action. Quick bolt manipulation translates into rapid follow-up shots for engaging multiple targets. The locking lugs being the same diameter as the bolt body translates into no raceway being needed as compared to Mauser-style lugs that protrude outside the bolt’s diameter. This enhances the Cross receiver’s rigidity since there is no need to remove material from to create a bolt raceway. Rigidity is a must for consistent accuracy.
The Cross bolt lug’s rear interfacing surfaces are angled/tapered, not square as found in more traditional bolt action. This is to facilitate locking the bolt into place like an artillery breach when turned into place. The bolt head is pinned into the bolt body, with just a bit of play to enable the locking lugs to find equal bearing when enclosed. A stout extractor is dovetailed into the rightmost lug. It reliably removes fired cases from the chamber. The ejector is a spring-loaded plunger throwing brass clear of the receiver.
“Proof” is in the Pudding
The SIG Sawtooth with 24-inch Proof Research barrel weighs in at 8.5 pounds. The Proof Research 24-inch, 1:8 barrel begins with full-profile, match-grade 416R stainless steel barrel blank. The Proof barrel’s rifling is single-point cut and then lead lapped. These blanks are “turned down,” reducing weight, then wrapped with high-strength, aerospace-grade carbon-fiber impregnated with a proprietary matrix resin. The Proof Research carbon-fibers diffuse heat along the length of the barrel (much like fiber optics transmit light). Carbon-fiber also moves heat very effectively through the wall thickness of the barrel, greatly increasing heat transport, resulting in barrels that cool faster, maintain accuracy over longer sessions of fire, and live longer. The end result is an aerospace-grade, high-fiber content composite barrel that is stronger and 64% lighter than similar all steel barrels, while just as accurate as the finest precision steel barrel.
An impressively effective radial muzzle brake is screwed on the Proof’s threaded muzzle. This statement stems from the surprised looks on the faces of shooters after the first round is fired with little effect on shoulder. Usual claims of recoil reduction are ignored as these are so subjective. However, SIG’s claim of 45% reduction may actually be understated. The SIG Match trigger is another pleasant experience with slight two-stage take-up and 3-pound break.
Supporting Cast
The 7mm PRC Sawtooth is the perfect combination of ballistic performance and recoil level. My introduction to the Hornady 7mm PRC came at the 2022 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous event. Hornady took its experience designing cartridges–does the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and 300 PRC ring a bell–and applied it to the 7mm PRC.
Hornady created the 7mm PRC with several important learned lessons such as base of bullet out of powder column, bullet bearing surface kept above the brass case’s neck/shoulder, and 100% powder charge for consistent ignition. Cartridge specifications are purposely tight in terms of chamber neck as well as bullet jump to rifling length. All of this specified by Hornady to maximize accuracy potential of the 7mm PRC.
An important part of the accuracy equation is a quality optic to go along with cartridge and rifle. And you want features to take advantage of an accurate, powerful rifle such as the SIG Sawtooth 7mm PRC without adding too much weight. We are talking about true multipurpose roles, stalking game while maintaining long-range punch across a clearing or field. A SIG Whiskey6 3-18x44MM (SFP) was mounted on the Sawtooth.
Wiskey6 Optic Details
The Whiskey6 features a redesigned zero-stop elevation dial, SIG Sauer’s patented HDX glass lens system, IPX-7 level waterproof and fog proof rating and SIGs MOA Milling Hunter 2.0 reticle. The SIG Whiskey6 offers high transmission, extra low dispersion optics with 6x zoom at a very reasonable price point. It all comes backed by SIG’s Infinite Guarantee. The only comment I have with the optic is an illuminated reticle would have been a nice touch. The Whiskey’s versatile 6-times (3-18x) zoom system provides a larger field of view at close ranges and better target acquisition at long ranges. The MOA Milling Hunter 2.0 reticle offers fine center with holdover and hold off patterns, allowing for fast target engagement at all ranges and effective at any magnification. The SIG Whiskey6 3-18×44 is a good fit for the long-range capable 7mm PRC Cross Sawtooth.
A B.O.S.S. Silencer’s Chairman suppressor was installed on the Sawtooth’s barrel, replacing the radial brake for certain parts of T&E. The Chairman features B.O.S.S.’s proprietary Tesla-inspired vented baffles inside the 8-inch titanium tube housing. The titanium allows for only 12.5 ounces on the end of your barrel.
The ability to wield a suppressed Sawtooth while maintaining a semblance of handling is a valued option. Anymore, most of my hunting rifles are suppressed due to advantages offered beyond pure hearing protection—which is valuable in its own right. For example, prey cannot discern where a shot is coming from if a miss. Even more practical is a suppressor’s ability to allow engagement of multiple animals in the same group. Prey is not scattered into the wind as soon as normal rifle blast signatures announces your presence in the woods. Not everyone in the county needs to know when you touch off a round.
Sharp Teeth
A rifle that shoots well off the bench offers the shooter no excuses or alibis. Multiple groups were fired with Hornady and Federal 7mm PRC ammunition. Its nice that 7mm PRC is catching on with other manufacturers, offering loads besides Hornady. Bullets were Hornady 160-grain CX, 175-grain ELD-X, 180-grain ELD-Match, along with 155-grain Terminal Ascent and 175-grain Fusion Tipped from Federal. Overall, accuracy was impressive with three-round groups under the magical 1-inch mark. The Hornady 178-grain ELD-X took the accuracy title with a couple legitimate 1/2-inch 100-yard groups! Three rounds into ¾-inch or better at 100 yards was the norm; most of the time five rounds went into the ¾-inch. The SIG Sawtooth is the type of rifle that leaves no doubt it can perform if the user does his/her job correctly.
7mm bullets have a reputation for high ballistic coefficient (BC) rating for flight efficiency as well as sectional density (SD) for penetration once arriving on target. It is hard to beat a 160- or 175-grain high BC and SD bullet moving at nearly 3,000 feet per second. A 200-yard zero keeps you 1.5-inches high at 100 yards and only 6-inches low at 300 yards. That is flat! You can tinker with preferred sight-in distances depending on your engagement scenarios.
Field Shooting Test
After the bench work establishing innate accuracy, the Cross Sawtooth was taken to Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC) Known Distance Range and 3-Gun Rifle Ranges. A Warne bipod or BOG tripod was used for most of testing. Steel silhouette targets out to 600 yards were engaged. The Sawtooth’s accuracy combined with s clear SIG Whiskey6 optic enabled first-round center mass shots, quickly transitioning to head shots. Importantly, no malfunctions of any kind were experienced even during rapid operation of the bolt. This is crucial.
The operational reliability of even a bolt-action rifle should never be taken for granted. I have witnessed various loading, chambering, and ejection malfunctions over the years. A cold bore shot was taken at every opportunity during the many visits to the range. The shot always landed where intended. Nothing instills more confidence in a weapon system—rifle, ammunition, optics, marksman—than the ability to place the first shot exactly as aimed.
Clay pigeons 300+ yards away were no issue vaporizing when struck. The Sawtooth’s integral ARCA rail provided solid connection to bipod or tripod. The Cross Sawtooth’s bolt was worked, and next target acquired as quickly as possible. It was verified that laying a loose round into the action on top of empty magazine was possible with no issue chambering. The radial brake combined with the adjustable stock and slick bolt with short lift proved potent. The B.O.S.S. Chairman suppressor also proved an enhancement for taming recoil and blast signature.
Wrap Up
The Cross Magnum Sawtooth has taken the SIG’s concept of the bolt-action rifle another step forward. It is available in a two hard-hitting calibers with more to come. Discussions with SIG indicated specific Sawtooth design parameters: enough weight and rigidity to maintain accuracy for longer engagement distances even after exposed to field conditions. However, weight could not resemble an anvil, making carry problematic in rugged terrain at elevation. Being able to resist, even thrive, in the harshest natural elements was another important goal.
The desirable characteristics for a bolt-action rifle, no matter intended role, albeit as a long-range hammer, still hunting, treestand, blind, or spot & stalk, are cold bore zero retention, repeatable accuracy, extended effective range, rugged durability, reliability, and handling. The SIG Cross Magnum Sawtooth checks all the boxes.
For more info, visit sigsauer.com.
SIG Sauer Cross Sawtooth Specs
- Caliber: 7mm PRC (.300 PRC also available)
- Barrel: 24-inch PROOF Research Carbon-Fiber 1:8 twist
- Overall Length: 47-inches, fully extended, adjustable folding buttstock
- Overall Weight: 8.5 pounds
- Capacity: Detachable AICS-style, 6-round magazine
- MSRP: $2,949
Accuracy & Performance
| Load | Velocity Average | Average @ 100 Yards | Best Group |
| Hornady 160grain CX | 3,014 fps | 0.875 inches | 0.8125 inches |
| Federal 155-grain Terminal Ascent | 3,112 fps | 0.75 inches | 0.66 inches |
| Hornady 175-grain ELD-X | 2,944 fps | 0.625 inches | 0.473 inches |
