Steiner T6Xi 5-30×56 Scope Assessment :: Weapons.com

Intro: T6Xi 5-30×56

Steiner began within the mid-Twentieth century on the American facet of post-WWII Germany. It has since been engaged on making high-quality riflescopes and different optics. I’ve lengthy been a fan of Steiner’s optics, although I’ve solely not too long ago been capable of take one house for my very own use.

With a protracted historical past of creating high quality optics, I supposed to place this Steiner scope to some long-range testing. (Picture: Jeff Wooden/Weapons.com)

The T6Xi is a variable scope primarily based on a 34mm tube. Within the entrance, it hosts the industry-standard 56mm goal lens. The facility of the 6x zoom is the place the T6Xi will get its 5-30x magnification energy vary, which isn’t any insignificant factor. The all-important erector housing carries many extra options, together with 12-MRAD-per-revolution turrets with an intuitive turret lock.

The elevation turret additionally incorporates a really fascinating rotating quantity scroll to forestall you from ever being off by a revolution on the turret. There’s additionally a typical facet parallax-adjustment knob with the illumination rheostat stacked on high. The magnification ring to regulate the zoom from 5-30x is behind the scope. An MSR2 MRAD reticle sits contained in the erector itself. After just some vary journeys, I used to be fairly happy with this reticle and its subtensions.

Along with the nice options of the scope itself, it additionally got here with a couple of extras I wasn’t anticipating. That included a factory-made throw lever for sooner magnification changes, a sunshade, and Tenebraex scope caps.

Options

Steiner T6Xi 5-30x56 Scope — The turrets and throw lever have been all stable, which is to be anticipated from Steiner. (Picture: Jeff Wooden/Weapons.com)

Right here’s a brief checklist of the options:

5-30x magnification
6x zoom vary
Locking windage and elevation turrets
Low-profile never-lost turrets
Second-rotation indicator
Locking diopter ring
Non-obligatory throw lever
Tenebraex covers
Illumination: 4 night time & seven day ranges
Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof

Mounting the T6Xi

I mounted the T6Xi onto a 40-MOA canted scope base and leveled it on my Desert Tech SRS-M2. My very first impressions have been of its measurement. I favor scopes that aren’t “dainty.” The Steiner was – for my part – simply the correct measurement. I used to be smaller than some however large and sturdy sufficient to face beside most rivals.

With the scope mounted to the rifle, I set it on a bench and put myself to boresighting the scope. As soon as I had the rifle zeroed correctly, all that remained was grabbing the remainder of my equipment and ammunition and heading into the hills.

On the Vary

In a short while, I discovered myself in my fortress of solitude. The silent and vacant white canyons of the Rocky Mountains are the place I spend my free time. This time of 12 months, the blanket of sound-soaking snow is spectacular for taking pictures.

I introduced two barrels for my SRS. The primary was a .223 Remington match barrel that I deliberate to make use of for zeroing. As soon as the rifle was zeroed with the .223 barrel, I’d change over to my 7mm SAUM barrel for taking pictures at extra vital distances. I’d use that to essentially check this Steiner’s skills.

I used to be instantly interested in the view by this scope. It was crystal clear and provided a ravishing picture to behold. I usually keep away from operating scopes at most magnification as a result of lots of them appear to darken or lose readability, however the T6Xi was nonetheless a wonderful view even at 30x.

The MSR2 reticle was an prompt hit for me. I cherished the tiny middle dot. It made good aimpoint definition straightforward. With just some photographs, I had confirmed an excellent zero.

After zeroing the turrets on the T6Xi, it was time to run each the rifle and scope out to some better distances. In lower than a minute, I’d switched barrels to the 7mm SAUM and turned my consideration to the distant ridge throughout the canyon from me. Snow coated most of my targets, however I may nonetheless pick what I wanted to see.

My density altitude and the cartridges I shoot usually hold me from needing the second rotation of most scopes. Lots of the cartridges I shoot will attain past three-quarters of a mile with out even cracking the second rotation, and my 7mm SAUM was definitely in that group. I used to be going to must shoot past 1,500 yards to dial previous the 12-MRAD mark on the turret. However earlier than I did that, I needed to see how the turret values lined up with the identified dope for this rifle.

I attempted a couple of photographs at targets from 500-700 yards with very predictable impacts. Recognizing impacts at these distances is necessary, which is why I usually use decrease energy settings on my riflescopes for long-range taking pictures. With the facility set at about half, I used to be simply watching the 150-grain “Cayuga” stable bullets affect, they usually have been hitting with good authority as nicely.

Rising the space to the goal made recognizing impacts even simpler, giving me extra time to get settled again on track earlier than my bullet acquired there. Watching by the Steiner, I used to be additionally capable of see the hint of the bullet because it arched up over the goal on its method there. The MSR2 reticle was very helpful for measuring and holding corrections. For my part, it’s a good hybrid of considerable subtensions however skinny sufficient to not grow to be cumbersome.