Designed with precision in mind, SIG’s new CROSS PRS in 6.5 Creedmoor is packed with new features. Using the existing CROSS chassis, the PRS features a prominent new 24-inch heavy contour barrel underneath a new ARCA-equipped handguard. I was curious to see how this new longer-barreled variant was, and SIG was kind enough to send over a completely decked-out copy for me to review.
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TFB Review: SIG CROSS PRS in 6.5 Creedmoor
The CROSS PRS features the same skeletonized folding stock as the original rifle. A slight redesign adds a bag rider to the bottom of the stock for smoother follow-up shots when using a rear bag.
Folding the stock is easy by pushing down the button at the rear and pulling the stock up and to the right. These stocks are a little stiff from the factory but have absolutely no wobble when locked in place. The stock also has tool-less adjustments for the butt pad, length of pull, and comb height.
While the CROSS features an AR-style safety, the CROSS PRS has a new safety design. When the safety is off, the oversized safety on the right-hand side acts as a thumb rest, allowing you to float your thumb for precision shots.
The CROSS PRS ships with a single 10-round Magpul AICS pattern magazine. The ambi paddle mag release is located at the front of the trigger guard. If you have large hands, you can reach this without having to break your grip, but I just prefer to use my support hand. The trigger guard has a small hole that allows you to adjust the trigger weight. I thought the 2-stage trigger had a nice clean break out of the box and decided this didn’t need to be adjusted (but I appreciate that it’s there).
New to the CROSS lineup is the addition of this full-length steel ARCA rail underneath the handguard. With tripods and ARCA bipods all the rage, this is a very welcome addition to the CROSS PRS.
The barrel on the cross PRS is as heavy as they come with a thickness of .9 inches (23mm). SIG was kind enough to send this rifle over with their new SLH 7.62 Inconel QD suppressor that I quickly attached to the 5/8×24 muzzle threads on the cross.
For glass, I’d be using a SIG-supplied Tango 6, specifically the new 5-30x56mm. This first focal plane optic features SIG’s MRAD DEV-L reticle with 0.1 MRAD adjustments for both windage and elevation. With the rifle bore sighed, it was time to zero the rifle and get some data on the ammunition SIG provided.
Accuracy and Velocity
With the rifle bore sighted it was time to get some data on the SIG OTM Match 140 Grain ammunition. With the help of my trusty MagnetoSpeed, I was able to gather the following information based on a 20-round string of fire.
SIG CROSS PRS 24″ — SIG OTM 140 Grain Match Grade 6.5 Creedmoor
- Shots – 20
- Minimum – 2677 FPS
- Maximum – 2714 FPS
- Average – 2696 FPS
- Standard Deviation – 12 FPS
*Box listed muzzle velocity for this ammo is 2690 FPS.
My initial three-round group didn’t look like a three-round group at all. I had to actually walk downrange to find this ragged hole in the paper. It’s one of those groups that say “This gun shoots better than you, so if you miss, it’s your fault”. With this in mind, I went ahead and shot 5 more five-round groups, and here’s the result.
- Group 1 – 0.736 MOA
- Group 2 – 0.585 MOA
- Group 3 – 0.362 MOA
- Group 4 – 0.296 MOA
- Group 5 – 0.484 MOA
Average – 0.492 MOA
*Note: The best group of 0.15 MOA was not counted as it was only three rounds. Rifles like this mean the shooter is usually the weak link.
Range Time
Before we get into how the rifle performs, please understand the intended audience for this rifle. Out of the box, this rifle weighs 14.2 pounds, and as pictured it weighs in at 18.6 pounds (unloaded). It is a purpose-built precision rifle designed for PRS shooters or bench rest enthusiasts. And in that regard, it is fantastic.
I’ve never been fond of ambi safety selectors as I’m corrected-handed. I will however admit that this thumb rest on the CROSS PRS is a fantastic design. The fluted bolt is incredibly smooth and precise follow-up shots can be done incredibly fast once you’re used to the rest.
Of course, weight is your friend when it comes to recoil. I found myself using a counterweight with the tripod, and then deciding it wasn’t making that much of a difference in overall stability. Most of the weight in the CROSS PRS lies in its very heavy barrel. So I removed the suppressor between groups and wasn’t able to find a measurable point of impact shift. I can thank the heavyweight barrel for being totally unphased by the change in barrel harmonics.
Performance and looks aside, there’s really only one thing I dislike about the CROSS PRS and that’s the magazines. Like the original CROSS, the PRS uses AICS single-stack single-feed mags. These do allow for cartridges with a longer overall length to be used, but personally, I’d rather see more options that use SR25/M110 pattern magazines. This is of course a very first-world problem where I find myself wanting larger magazines and not wanting to reload. I know, cry me a river.
The Verdict
MSRP on the SIG CROSS PRS is $2,499. This very specific price tag makes it eligible to be shot in the PRS factory division. While there are plenty of rifles that exist at this price point, this was easily the most accurate 6.5 Creedmoor I’ve ever shot. Magazine differences aside, I think this rifle is perfect for a PRS shooter or just your average weekend warrior. Sadly, the SIG CROSS PRS wasn’t in my budget so I sent the rifle back to SIG at the conclusion of this review. But I’m happy to say this is now the most accurate 6.5 Creedmoor I’ve ever reviewed.
Check Prices on SIG CROSS PRS Rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor
Thanks for reading and a big thank you to SIG for sending this rifle, optic, ammunition, and suppressor over for this review. More information on the CROSS PRS can be found here on the SIG product page.
PRODUCT SPECS:
- SKU: CROSS-65-24B
- Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
- Barrel Length: 24 in [610 mm]
- Magazine Type: AICS
- Magazine Included: (1) 10rd Polymer Mag
- Stock Type: Steel Frame Folding Stock
- Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
- Twist Rate: 1:8
- Trigger: 2-Stage Match
- Overall Length: 44.5 in [1130 mm]
- Overall Width: 2.9 in [74 mm]
- Height: 8 in [203 mm]
- Muzzle Threads: 5/8 in – 24 tpi
- Weight: 14.2 lb [6.44 kg]
- MSRP: $2,499
Read the original Article in its entirety at thefirearmblog.com.
