New Steiner H6Xi Riflescope Offers Military Durability for Hunters
Steiner Optics has been known for quality military and tactical scopes and their quality is what you expect from a premium German optics company. Their latest offering, the H6Xi, is no exception. A perfect blend of hunting and tactical features, this scope stands out from the crowd. Here’s why the Steiner H6Xi might be the best new optic for hunters.
Boasting similar military and law-enforcement DNA as the T6Xi tactical riflescope series, the Steiner H6Xi series is comprised of three models, covering those who count ounces on the trail to those looking for enhanced magnification. The first focal plane 6x optical system is offered in 2-12x42mm, 3-16x50mm, and 5-30x50mm zoom ranges.
Tactical Origins
The new H6Xi series keeps the best features of the T6Xi but in a lighter package. Comparing the 5-30×56 version of the two scopes, the T6Xi weighs 34.5 ounces while the new H6Xi comes in at 28.1 ounces, a full 6 ounces lighter and significant weight savings. The 3-18 version of the H6Xi is 7 ounces lighter than its T6Xi counterpart. Steiner trimmed down the H6Xi series by decreasing the tube diameter from 34mm to a more traditional 30mm. Milled from solid aerospace-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, the H6Xi 30mm tube delivers a rugged, waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof design with weight and compactness in mind.
Also, the turrets are low profile for hunting vs. the tactical turrets of the T6Xi. To accommodate gloved and wet hands, all knobs and the power adjustment ring feature aggressive knurling for no-slip operation. The diopter also comes with a locking ring, meaning there is no chance of accidentally moving the eyepiece out of focus.
The turrets have 30 MOA of vertical travel in ¼ MOA click increments. A low-profile elevation turret is sized to reduce the snag-and-bump potential common to hunting scopes with tall target-style turrets. Easy-to-read numbers, tactile detents with audible clicks, and a zero-click stop let hunters make confident and precise adjustments even in low-light conditions. A capped windage knob ensures piece of mind when trudging through brush or bumping against rocks.
Length is virtually the same between the tactical and hunting versions.
Similar to its tactical cousin, the Steiner H6Xi offers 11 illumination settings. Two-night vision settings, four-night settings, and five-day settings ensure shooters can always find the right illumination regardless of the scene. Backing the illumination dial is the focus adjustment knob. Tuned for the broadest shooting range spectrum, the fine parallax adjustment extends from 25 yards to infinity.
Tactical Hunting Scopes?
The Steiner H6Xi uses a first focal plane (FFP) reticle that is a bit uncommon in hunting riflescopes but not unheard of. This is clearly due to their tactical first origins. The reticle itself is a very simple design and clean for unobstructed views when hunting. While it has stadia lines for holdovers, they are not obvious at low power; however, when dialed up in magnification, they become obvious. This is a smart design that might seem obvious, but why clutter the reticle at low power when you don’t need holdovers? Longer shots where holdovers are needed are when the hashmarks make sense. There are hashmarks for both windage and elevation. Not uncommon, but a nice touch for those looking for longer shots when hunting.
Interestingly, the price for the Steiner H6Xi series is the same as their tactical counterparts 2-12×42 is set at $2,183.99, and the 3-18×50 model has an MSRP of $2,298.99 the same as the T6Xi. The 5-30×50’s MSRP is $2,528.99, again the same as the T6Xi version. Whether you want the hunting version or the tactical will come down to weight, turrets, and reticle options, but not price.
Overall, the Steiner H6Xi series is a unique offering in the hunting riflescope world. It has great optical clarity, low weight compared to others in its class, and good low-light performance. The FFP reticle might not be for everyone, but there is always the tactical option with more choices on reticles.
Key Features: Steiner H6Xi Riflescopes
Steiner H6Xi 2-12x42mm Specifications
- Magnification: 2-12x
- Objective Lens Diameter (mm): 42
- Tube Diameter (mm): 30
- Field of View (ft. @ 100 yds.): 55-8.5
- Field of View (ft. @ 100 m.):5-9
- Eye Relief (in./mm):85-3.5 / 98-89.6
- Exit Pupils (mm) HIGH/LOW:8 – 3.8
- Diopter Setting: +2 to -3
- Focal Plane: first
- Reticle: Steiner MHR
- Illumination: rotary dial
- Battery: CR2032
- Weight (w/o caps) (oz./G):2 oz. / 650 g
- Length (in./mm):8 in.
- Operating Temperature: -13°F / +145 °F
- Click Value Adjustment:25 MOA
- Total Elevation Range: 70 MOA
- Total Windage Range: 70 MOA
- Parallax Focus: side focus
- Parallax/Focus Range: 25 yds. to infinity
Steiner H6Xi 3-18x50mm Specifications
- Magnification: 3-18x
- Objective Lens Diameter (mm): 50
- Tube Diameter (mm): 30
- Field of View (ft. @ 100 yds.): 36-7
- Field of View (ft. @ 100 m.): 40-7.5
- Eye Relief (in./mm):85-3.5 / 98-89.6
- Exit Pupils (mm) HIGH/LOW:4-3.8
- Diopter Setting: +2 to -3
- Focal Plane: first
- Reticle: Steiner MHR
- Illumination: rotary dial
- Battery: CR2032
- Weight (w/o caps) (oz./G):4 oz. / 777 g
- Length (in./mm):3 in.
- Operating Temperature: -13°F / +145 °F
- Click Value Adjustment:25 MOA
- Total Elevation Range: 75 MOA
- Total Windage Range: 50 MOA
- Parallax Focus: side focus
- Parallax/Focus Range: 25 yds. to infinity
Steiner H6Xi 5-30x50mm Specifications
- Magnification: 5-30x
- Objective Lens Diameter (mm): 50
- Tube Diameter (mm): 30
- Field of View (ft. @ 100 yds.): 25-4.5
- Field of View (ft. @ 100 m.): 24-4
- Eye Relief (in./mm):85-3.5 / 98-89.6
- Exit Pupils (mm) HIGH/LOW:15-2.3
- Diopter Setting: +2 to -3
- Focal Plane: first
- Reticle: Steiner MHR
- Illumination: rotary dial
- Battery: CR2032
- Weight (w/o caps) (oz./G):1 oz. / 796 g
- Length (in./mm):4 in.
- Operating Temperature: -13°F / +145 °F
- Click Value Adjustment:25 MOA
- Total Elevation Range: 65 MOA
- Total Windage Range: 30 MOA
- Parallax Focus: side focus
- Parallax/Focus Range: 25 yds. to infinity
Jeremy Mallette is co-founder of International Sportsman. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has spent more than a decade in the outdoor industry, from hiking and camping to silencers and hunting. His father taught him to shoot at age six, and he received his first firearm at age eight — a 1942 Colt Commando .38 special revolver. He enjoys yearly trips to Kansas for pheasant hunting, spending time with his children at the deer lease, and collecting unique firearms.
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