Is the sig cross the best budget backpacking rifle?

[OG-danimal]

Considering a sig cross chambered in 6.5 creed as my backpacking deer hunting rifle. The folding butt stock, semi lightweight design, and short overall length has my attention. But is it worth it? My current set up is a 6.5prc. It's 11.2lbs all set with optic, bipod, ammo, and can. I want something a little lighter and easier on riding on the pack. The longest shot I'd ever take would be 600 yards and I figure hand loads would get me there pretty easily with the sig. Who has one in the 6.5? What does it weigh all set up?
Do you like it? Any other recommendations for lightweight backpacking deer rifles under the $1500 mark would be appreciated as well.
Cheers

 

[HarlowBocker]

The sig cross is light and compact, especially with a light scope. From an 18" barrel, 6.5 Creed loses velocity. A friend has a Cross in 6.5 CM and did not like hunting with it. He was using factory 140gr ammo, I think the muzzle velocity was around 2,500fps. If you shoot heavy bullets at reduced velocity, it does not strike game like lightening, though it can still penetrate and kill. He moved to 28 Nosler with a 24-26" barrel, and he's happy. The Sig Cross was not the rifle for him, but it might work for you. Bullet choice is important, and there are tradeoffs.

Whether you will be happy with 6.5 Creed depends on your expectations and objectives. 6.5 Creed can definitely kill deer, but it may not kill deer with your desired level of authority at long range. I've shot a few deer with a 24" 6.5 Creed out to ~600yds. I've never been surprised or disappointed, but I also don't expect a 6.5 creed to perform like 28 Nosler. You might consider a hotter cartridge if any of my comments are concerning.

 

[marksman1941]

if you're good with the ballistics of a 6.5cm at 600, then the cross is a solid platform. The creed still has plenty of terminal performance at that range, assuming you pick the right bullet and you can read wind well enough to land the shot.

As far as the rifle itself is concerned, they're fantastic. They've become the pick of the litter for a pack rifle on a decent budget, for good reason. I would have no qualms about going that route.

 

[overinfinite]

The sig cross is light and compact, especially with a light scope. From an 18" barrel, 6.5 Creed loses velocity. A friend has a Cross in 6.5 CM and did not like hunting with it. He was using factory 140gr ammo, I think the muzzle velocity was around 2,500fps. If you shoot heavy bullets at reduced velocity, it does not strike game like lightening, though it can still penetrate and kill. He moved to 28 Nosler with a 24-26" barrel, and he's happy. The Sig Cross was not the rifle for him, but it might work for you. Bullet choice is important, and there are tradeoffs.

Whether you will be happy with 6.5 Creed depends on your expectations and objectives. 6.5 Creed can definitely kill deer, but it may not kill deer with your desired level of authority at long range. I've shot a few deer with a 24" 6.5 Creed out to ~600yds. I've never been surprised or disappointed, but I also don't expect a 6.5 creed to perform like 28 Nosler. You might consider a hotter cartridge if any of my comments are concerning.

That is a crazy jump 18" 6.5 CM to a 24" 28 Nosler is wild. The sig cross is neat, but it would be even better with a 6.5PRC or 7SAUM. it would put you back into the velocity of a 22" 6.5CM, if not more.
You can put together a setup for a little more money than a factory cross in whatever flavor cartridge you want.
MDT LSS or XLR Atom chassis, add a folder, 16 or 18" barrel at whatever thickness you want. I helped a buddy with his 308 cross and I hated the folder. it was clunky and rattled slightly. but I have 3 MDT folders and love them. either way, I helped my dad put together a 16" 6CM in a XLR Atom chassis, no folder, lightweight Leupold scope and a brake. the thing is so small and is awesome as a truck gun.

 

[ducky]

What is your current rifle weight, and how much weight do you drop with the Cross rifle? I have nothing against the Sig Cross, I've never shot one only handled in the store. However, there are several ways to get lighter and carry while trekking in without needing a folding stock to reduce OAL.

The lightest weight rifle you can probably put together for backpacking would be a Howa Supelite 20" 6.5 Creedmoor. Instead of carrying it in a scabbard on your pack put in a Kifaru Universal Gun Bearer and have it readily accessible. With the butt of the stock lower than your hip, the suppressor is right at my shoulder with 18-20" barrels and doesn't extend past the top of my head.

I have the Superlite in .308 Win and with a NF 3-10X42 SHV in Warne Mountain Tech rings, and using an Omega 300 direct thread suppressor it weighs 7 lbs 0.8 oz. It weighs about 7 oz heavier with a Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 4-20X50. It's almost 4 lbs 11 oz for the bare rifle.

Now, I'm not saying I'm capable of shooting 600 yds on deer with this rifle. 3-400 is probably the max I could shoot this .308 on game with confidence. Even with the Omega the recoil is quite fast and sharp, and I don't enjoy shooting anything above 168 grains. The 6.5 Creedmoor should be more pleasant to shoot.