If you don’t know what the SIG Hunter Games are then check out this article: 17 Facts about the SIG SAUER Hunter Games and a Sneak Peek at SIG’s NEW Pistol
In Part one of the Gear of SIG’s Hunter Games, we will only cover the SIG branded gear provided to each competitor. In Part II we’ll cover the other accessories and gear provided by sponsors and vendors that attended the event.
SIG CROSS Rifle
Every competitor carried one of the new SIG Cross rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Every rifle was configured the same although there were several different colors. Each competitor’s name was attached to a specific rifle and they got to verify zero on the first day as well as adjust the stock and cheekpiece to fit them perfectly.
Even though the rifles come equipped with 5/8-24 threads on the muzzle, none of the rifles had muzzle devices of any kind. An insider at SIG explained to me that ideally every rifle would have been equipped with one of SIG’s new suppressors but that the military demand for them was so great that they didn’t have extra’s for the Hunter Games.
The detachable magazines that come standard with the Cross are 5 rounds and work flawlessly. Each competitor was given several extras. Due to time restraints with the course of fire, I preloaded my magazines as I hiked to the next stage and stowed the loaded magazines in my pockets.
Every competitor carried their rifle differently. I ran the Cross rifle folded and completely stowed inside my backpack between each stage.
GunsAmerica has a full review of the SIG Cross rifle coming. You can read about my actual hunting experience and the story of the second Elk ever killed with the SIG Cross rifle HERE.
SIG SIERRA 6 BDX SCOPE
Each Cross rifle was topped off with a SIG Sierra 6 BDX variable-powered scope. The BDX system in a nutshell is a Bluetooth-enabled riflescope that communicates with a SIG BDX rangefinder. The rangefinder is preloaded by the user with the ballistic information specific to that rifle. For example the velocity, b.c. etc.
When the shooter “lasers” a target the rangefinder seamlessly transmits the range, angle, and ballistic information to the scope where a small illuminated aiming point shows your exact hold in the scope. It doesn’t give you wind holds in the scope so the shooter still has to hold for wind.
My experience with the BDX system was all positive. I turned the scope off between stages and while hiking but that isn’t necessary. I’d simply turn it on, range the target, verify the range by ranging other items in front of and behind the target. Then I’d get a final range on the target that I would make sure was the same as what I originally thought was correct. The scope would “lock-in” the last range and the rifle was “doped” for everything except wind.
Read more about the BDX system HERE at GunsAmerica or HERE on SIG’s website.
KILO3000BDX Bino/Rangefinder
Every competitor was issued their own KILO3000BDX rangefinding binocular. Each unit was paired with the competitor’s specific rifle, or more specifically their BDX scope. As binocular’s the KILO3000BDX hits at about its price point for glass and no better. Nothing spectacular but decent midrange glass.
The Rangefinder in them, however, hits high marks as one of the best if not “the best” rangefinders available to civilians. SIG advertises it as a 5000-yard rangefinder on reflective targets and I’ve had mine out that far several times. It has the BDX feature and will talk to the SIG BDX scope or to a Kestral Windmeter with Applied Ballistics. The Rangefinder also has an Applied Ballistics light which works pretty well for any scope out to 800 yards.
Click HERE for the full list of specs and features.
SIG ZULU6 Image Stabilized Bino’s
These SIG ZULU 6’s haven’t been out for very long. In a nutshell, they’re like have a spotting scope in your pocket. The 16 power version is what we used at the Hunter Games and they enabled you to spot shots and call wind with no spotting scope or tripod necessary. We have a full review of these coming soon so watch for that. At only 20 ounces they’re pretty impressive. You can literally stand unsupported and flip the stabilizer switch and immediately all the shake is gone. First impressions are that I love them but would like SIG to put better glass in them and make the objective bigger for better low-light performance. These are game-changers.
SIG ELITE SERIES AMMUNITION
Yes. SIG owns its own ammo factory. We shot 6.5 Creedmoor Elite Series ammo which is the fancy nickel-cased stuff. Every competitor had a backpack full that they hiked with each day.
SIG P320 9mm Pistol
Each person was issued a SIG P320 pistol and much like real hunting, they carried it for almost 16 miles and never got to shoot it. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
That wraps up Part 1. Watch for part 2 where we’ll dive into the other gear used.
SIG can do as it pleases, but why are “celebrities” the only folks invited to these types of outings? I believe SIG would get a better response to their product lines if the average Joe’s and Josephine’s were invited through a random drawing which didn’t include “professional this or professional that”. Not all “professionals” use SIG products. SIG has more non-professional folks using their products than any of the big name folks ever dreamed of.