xFREDx
Lil-Rokslider
Not much out there on these scopes so i bought one and figured i would give it my own little review. i am hunter and although i would like to get into long range/tactical shooting it isn't what i do.
My current collection of scopes: Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 (illumintated) / Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 (illuminated) / Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42 / Schmidt and Bender Klassik (German made one as now you can only get this one is Hungarian made) 6x42 / Schmidt and Bender Klassik 3-12x42mm (Iilluminated) / Schmidt and Bender Polar t96 Polar 2.5-10x50 (illuminated) / and not the Steiner Predator 4 2.5-10x42 (illuminated)
My father in-law's collection of scopes: Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 (nonilluminated) / Swarovski Z5i 2.4-12x50 / Swarovski Z6 2.5-15x44
past scopes that i have had and sold: vortex razor LHT / leupold vx3 / nightforce SHV / S&B PMii / Zeiss v6 / Vortex Viper (i don't have these 6 scopes anymore so i am just going on what i can remember if i mention them)
i mounted the steiner on to my JP Sauer 101 as it is the rifle that shoots the best (i don't handload, and with nosler accubonds factor ammo, federal premium trophy bonded, federal premium swift scirocco ii, and federal premium berger all shoot a consistance 3 shot group under 1"
now this steiner predator 4 isn't a dialing scope but for tracking purposes it was spot on with shooting out to 487 yards which is likely farther than i would ever shoot at game. and came back to zero after dialing back down and shot a final group. all of my current scopes have does this as well except for one, the VX5HD 3-15x44. both the VX5HD's have the CDS dial and the 2-10x42 is spot on with the nosler accubond ammo. the 3-15x44 has ben sent in for a wondering zero, came back fixed, then the tracking was off on the elevation (windage was fine). sent it back in and fixed the issue. it just doesn't give me peice of mind even with the 2-10x42 has been perfect.
i cannot speak to my father in-laws scopes as i am taking them off his rifles to compared the tracking, but he has had no issues with all those swaros after he zeroed and just let it be. he doesn't dial so cannot comment on tracking
i had all these scopes out in a field with sitting out in the open and then in then under a canopy to look at dawn and dusk. not only just for brightness but how it was looking into shadows at targets we set up. targets ranged from 82 yards out to 418 yards and only used 10x magnification as some have advantage with more magnification and having one fixed 6x scope we just didn't compare but i believe it would of done fantastic.
with my currently collection and my father in-laws. here is how we ranked the them from best to worst.
S&B Polar
Swaro Z6
Swaro z5 / steiner predator 4 / S&B Klassik / Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 (we would chalk this up as a tie for 3rd)
Swaro Z3 / Leupold VX5hd 3-15x44 / Nightforce NXS (we chalked this all up as a tie) - these are not bad, we just have to pick fly shit out of chili on this. these three here were better to my eyese than the SHV, the Vx3, and the LHT. the Zeiss v6 would either be on the Swaro Z6 level or the tie for third level. we both agreed the Polar was the best to us, again picking fly shit out of chili on all of these.
Next up durability. i don't abuse these so i can only go on by my own experience and what i have heard/read. my SHV has fell from about 6 ft from a rope coming down a deer stand and was perfectly fine, zero stayed true, when i reshot it.
Nightforce and S&B i would put at the top. i beleive i could really use these as hammer and have no affect on the scope
I hear about steiner being durable and tough but cannot say anything about it besides that.
Swaro i would say is fine, my father in law has no issues and he has been running them since i have known him. and he isn't as nice to his things as i am. my swaro knockers do get used a lot and they are perfect besides cosmetic blemishes. i have just heard some issues with the lower end Swaro scopes.
Next up is Leupold. we have heard the stores and honestly i am a leupold fan. i love the lightweight and the glass. my 2-10x42 has been absolutely perfect and didn't think it would happen to me but my 3-15 has given my not a lot of faith. i do have their BX4HD binos too and they are absolutely fantastic except i wish they had a better FOV.
Reticles - personal preference. i do like the steiner reticale it has, it isn't two busy and pretty simple. honestly since i do a point blank zero i enjoy just a simple crosshair best.
Steiner Predator 4 cons: Eyebox and weight. now the eyebox isn't bad, i find it similar to the Nightforce and the Klassik line S&B. all the swaros, the Leupolds and S&B Polar had a better eyebox.
Weight and size. Leupold and Swaro have this down great. compact, not bulky, and leight. But the steiner weight falls inline with the nightforce and other S&B's
overall i am happy with the purchase. glass is great, and seems very durable with a price point to challenge some of the other scopes that people like to go after. if any questions you alll have let me know, this wasn't a scientific test.
My current collection of scopes: Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 (illumintated) / Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 (illuminated) / Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42 / Schmidt and Bender Klassik (German made one as now you can only get this one is Hungarian made) 6x42 / Schmidt and Bender Klassik 3-12x42mm (Iilluminated) / Schmidt and Bender Polar t96 Polar 2.5-10x50 (illuminated) / and not the Steiner Predator 4 2.5-10x42 (illuminated)
My father in-law's collection of scopes: Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 (nonilluminated) / Swarovski Z5i 2.4-12x50 / Swarovski Z6 2.5-15x44
past scopes that i have had and sold: vortex razor LHT / leupold vx3 / nightforce SHV / S&B PMii / Zeiss v6 / Vortex Viper (i don't have these 6 scopes anymore so i am just going on what i can remember if i mention them)
i mounted the steiner on to my JP Sauer 101 as it is the rifle that shoots the best (i don't handload, and with nosler accubonds factor ammo, federal premium trophy bonded, federal premium swift scirocco ii, and federal premium berger all shoot a consistance 3 shot group under 1"
now this steiner predator 4 isn't a dialing scope but for tracking purposes it was spot on with shooting out to 487 yards which is likely farther than i would ever shoot at game. and came back to zero after dialing back down and shot a final group. all of my current scopes have does this as well except for one, the VX5HD 3-15x44. both the VX5HD's have the CDS dial and the 2-10x42 is spot on with the nosler accubond ammo. the 3-15x44 has ben sent in for a wondering zero, came back fixed, then the tracking was off on the elevation (windage was fine). sent it back in and fixed the issue. it just doesn't give me peice of mind even with the 2-10x42 has been perfect.
i cannot speak to my father in-laws scopes as i am taking them off his rifles to compared the tracking, but he has had no issues with all those swaros after he zeroed and just let it be. he doesn't dial so cannot comment on tracking
i had all these scopes out in a field with sitting out in the open and then in then under a canopy to look at dawn and dusk. not only just for brightness but how it was looking into shadows at targets we set up. targets ranged from 82 yards out to 418 yards and only used 10x magnification as some have advantage with more magnification and having one fixed 6x scope we just didn't compare but i believe it would of done fantastic.
with my currently collection and my father in-laws. here is how we ranked the them from best to worst.
S&B Polar
Swaro Z6
Swaro z5 / steiner predator 4 / S&B Klassik / Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 (we would chalk this up as a tie for 3rd)
Swaro Z3 / Leupold VX5hd 3-15x44 / Nightforce NXS (we chalked this all up as a tie) - these are not bad, we just have to pick fly shit out of chili on this. these three here were better to my eyese than the SHV, the Vx3, and the LHT. the Zeiss v6 would either be on the Swaro Z6 level or the tie for third level. we both agreed the Polar was the best to us, again picking fly shit out of chili on all of these.
Next up durability. i don't abuse these so i can only go on by my own experience and what i have heard/read. my SHV has fell from about 6 ft from a rope coming down a deer stand and was perfectly fine, zero stayed true, when i reshot it.
Nightforce and S&B i would put at the top. i beleive i could really use these as hammer and have no affect on the scope
I hear about steiner being durable and tough but cannot say anything about it besides that.
Swaro i would say is fine, my father in law has no issues and he has been running them since i have known him. and he isn't as nice to his things as i am. my swaro knockers do get used a lot and they are perfect besides cosmetic blemishes. i have just heard some issues with the lower end Swaro scopes.
Next up is Leupold. we have heard the stores and honestly i am a leupold fan. i love the lightweight and the glass. my 2-10x42 has been absolutely perfect and didn't think it would happen to me but my 3-15 has given my not a lot of faith. i do have their BX4HD binos too and they are absolutely fantastic except i wish they had a better FOV.
Reticles - personal preference. i do like the steiner reticale it has, it isn't two busy and pretty simple. honestly since i do a point blank zero i enjoy just a simple crosshair best.
Steiner Predator 4 cons: Eyebox and weight. now the eyebox isn't bad, i find it similar to the Nightforce and the Klassik line S&B. all the swaros, the Leupolds and S&B Polar had a better eyebox.
Weight and size. Leupold and Swaro have this down great. compact, not bulky, and leight. But the steiner weight falls inline with the nightforce and other S&B's
overall i am happy with the purchase. glass is great, and seems very durable with a price point to challenge some of the other scopes that people like to go after. if any questions you alll have let me know, this wasn't a scientific test.
