Steiner Predator 4 2.5-10x42mm review

[xFREDx]

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.

 

[obawon]

Thanks for the write up and all the good info!

 

[TxJW]

Yes, great write up and I agree with your conclusion. I was able to grab one on a close out and feel it’s one of the best “deals” I’ve come across. I love the reticle and build quality. Clear image from edge to edge. Your review reinforced my initial thoughts.

 

[Dave Thomas]

Great review. Now send it to Form to test the durability to see how it stacks up. I also wondered how the Steiner scopes compared to others.

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

I've got the 4S 4-16 and am initially impressed with weight, reticle, and clarity, but I have not subjected it to any drop tests (neither purposely nor accidentally) so I can't definitively say anything regarding durability.

 

[777dogman]

When you were testing at dawn and dusk, did you notice any changes in clarity to the viewed object as you got toward the edges of your scopes field of view? If so? Did you rank the scopes differently than what is posted.

 

[xFREDx]

When you were testing at dawn and dusk, did you notice any changes in clarity to the viewed object as you got toward the edges of your scopes field of view? If so? Did you rank the scopes differently than what is posted.

great question. i know it is subjective since we knew where it was at every distance.
what i found is the Polar and Z6 were the most clear seeing the target. i know i would say we had a tie for third but i may put the vx5hd like 1% ahead of the others in third. not completely sure. i am impressed with the vx5hd low light glass. but the steiner was right with it. Probably out of the thrid place tie scopes in this category i would say the Leupold, then steiner, then the Swaro Z5, then the Klassik
i would say the Swaro Z3 was probably the worst at this test to my eye by my father in law said the Nightforce NXS, but hey if i was going into combat, you bet your ass i would be picking this nightforce.

as far as edge to edge clarity all were really great. i didn't notice really anything, i think the VX5HD 3-15x44 had a slight blurr to my father in law. i didn't notice it. again this is the scope i have had issues with. the VX5HD 2-10x42 has been absolutely excellent and a favorite of mine. the NXS and the Z3 to me was harder to see stuff at the edge but middle of the sight picture was bright and clear.

i think the steiner is pushing above its weight class for the price point it is. i do dislike the smaller/more finicky eyebox. the FOV is better at 10x on the steiner than the VX5HD 2-10x42.

next up will be either a gen 2 VX5HD or VX6HD to compare to the older VX5/6HD and the steiner and Swaro Z5. Then a S&B Stratos 1.5-6x42 or a Meta 3-18x42, probably the stratos as its more of my hunting style to compare to the klassic 6x42 fixed scope.

 

[Moose18]

Great review, I’m considering this scope for a Ruger Hawkeye Guide Gun. Trying to find the mounting space measurements with no luck. Could you measure the front and rear mounting space and total mounting space? Really appreciate it!!

 

[06 SB]

I tried a Steiner P4 on my custom 338Fed after talking to the folks at the Steiner booth at the NRA show last year. I love the E3 reticle. It fits the Fed out to 375 yards nicely. I mainly use Swarovski Z3 or Zeiss Conquests. It has slightly better low light clarity than either of those two. My Steiner P4 held up to me banging it around on an ATV, on the seat of my truck and a couple falls on a slippery slope. It stayed true. I bought a second one for my 6.5CM when Expert Voice had them on a flash sale. I think it was 55% off.

 

[Moose18]

I tried a Steiner P4 on my custom 338Fed after talking to the folks at the Steiner booth at the NRA show last year. I love the E3 reticle. It fits the Fed out to 375 yards nicely. I mainly use Swarovski Z3 or Zeiss Conquests. It has slightly better low light clarity than either of those two. My Steiner P4 held up to me banging it around on an ATV, on the seat of my truck and a couple falls on a slippery slope. It stayed true. I bought a second one for my 6.5CM when Expert Voice had them on a flash sale. I think it was 55% off.

Nice, great to hear it can hold up to some real use.

Yeah I’m pretty much down to the P4 or a Trijicon Huron or Ascent. I like the P4 for its illumination as this will be my new black bear gun.

 

[xFREDx]

to add, one thing i really want aqre the steiner flip up covers. for some stupid reason they are not available in the US. they look better than the butler creek caps. honestly i wish every scop mfg made their caps like Leupold does with the screw in ones. those are awesome

 

[farmerlifter]

Have you got any pictures of the steiner on your Sauer? Ive just bought myself a 101 classic, was looking at the steiner because in canada it seems to be about the right price for features and quality. Dont see Sauer 101s get much love on this forum.

 

[xFREDx]

Have you got any pictures of the steiner on your Sauer? Ive just bought myself a 101 classic, was looking at the steiner because in canada it seems to be about the right price for features and quality. Dont see Sauer 101s get much love on this forum.

Yeah i will get some to you this evening. Yeah well the 101 you can no longer get in the states, only the 100 and 505. you can still get the Mauser M12 which is essentiall the same rifle just different safety. you in canada can get the steiner flip up scope caps, for some reason not allowed in the states.

 

[farmerlifter]

None of what gets into canada makes sense lol. I know a company Gravel took over the import for r&o which is the parent of blaser group, supposedly the people running it are only trying to bring in the more pricy oremium lines from Sauer and Blaser now. Ifs a shame, the 101s are spectacular guns.

 

[xFREDx]

None of what gets into canada makes sense lol. I know a company Gravel took over the import for r&o which is the parent of blaser group, supposedly the people running it are only trying to bring in the more pricy oremium lines from Sauer and Blaser now. Ifs a shame, the 101s are spectacular guns.

agreed. i have come to enjoy the safety on the 101 more than the other safeties and paried with the nonadjustable 2lb trigger makes for a great shooter. i have shot some 100s and tried to get the trigger adjusted to the 100, but never felt the same. father in law has a 202 i found for him in bass pro locally in the used section. it was excellent condition and it is also a great shooting rifle.

 

[xFREDx]

Have you got any pictures of the steiner on your Sauer? Ive just bought myself a 101 classic, was looking at the steiner because in canada it seems to be about the right price for features and quality. Dont see Sauer 101s get much love on this forum.

Below is the current set up. I don’t normally have the bipod on it. Just did it for the photos. I also have the old set up photo with the S&B fixed 6x42. My wife can easily outshoot me and that is her three round group easily sub MOA. She did that with the fixed 6x S&B. It’s in 270 win and it was factory nosler accubond 130gr.

 

[Dualsight]

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.

if any questions you all have let me know, this wasn't a scientific test.

I am thinking of buying two Steiner's H6Xi rifle scopes soon. I do like the E3 reticle with just the "+" crosshair illuminating on the Predator slightly over the MRH reticle on the H6Xi.

Question: With the H6Xi at about the same price point and a bit better eye box/field of view/exit pupil, why did you instead select the Predator series? Was it just because (and you are spot on with this) there isn't much out there on the Predator?

 

[xFREDx]

Partially
The price was better, wanted to try it agains the vx5HD, not big on dialing as I do point blank range for hunting. Also to me fits more of a hunting scope than the tactical models. Another reason is a very stupid one but wanted to be a German optic. From Steiner I was told the predator is made in Germany and ranger (the European model equivalent) is made in the US. I have seen others say not true but just going on what they told me. The only only German made Steiners are the military series and some but not all binos. A very dumb reason but a reason that contributed

 

[Dualsight]

Thanks. I was about to edit my post to about price of the H6Xi sits in-between the Predator 4's and Predator 8"s.

The H6Xi's (hunting series) are made in the USA. And my searching says the same thing: the Ranger is made in the USA for the European market, and the Predator is made in Germany for the USA market. What I did not find is why a company would do that; to me it is puzzling.

The T6Xi (tactical), I believe, are just the tactical series. The M5Xi and M7Xi are their military scopes and the P4Xi are the Police series. Seems to be quite a durable and reliable scopes from what I have found.

 

[xFREDx]

I know last week I saw the predator 8s on sale for around the price of the normal vx5HDs. Not gen 2 price but original price