Steiner Optics T6Xi 5-30×56 Reticle Comprehensive Review

Steiner Optics makes some of the best scopes in the world and originates all the way back to 1947. Karl Steiner started the company in Germany with the goal of creating sturdy, functional, and uniformly flawless optical products. Almost 80 years later, Steiner Optic products are available in 65 countries, used by hunters, aviators, birders, mariners, and more. They’re also deployed by security and military forces around the globe.

Steiner T6Xi

Many types of scopes serve different purposes, and Steiner has labeled their scopes accordingly. Under the riflescopes they manufacture, they have a military series, a hunting series, and a tactical series. These are branded as the M models, H models, and T models, respectively. I was able to get my hands on the T6Xi model as well as the H6Xi model scopes in the largest magnification offered in each series. The letter refers to the series model, 6x determines the magnification level, and “i” means illuminated reticle. Since hunting season has concluded for me, I wanted to review the Tactical series line to be used for shooting sports or to have some fun stretching the legs of a long-range rifle.

Locking Windage and Elevation Knobs

I remember my very first precision rifle series competition, where I learned the hard way about bumping my scope dial accidentally and not knowing it until I was shooting the stage. One of the features of the T6Xi scope is it has locking windage and elevation knobs, so once you set your scope holds, you can have them locked in place. This works well when you have only one known target distance you need to dial for and can lock this in place before shooting.

Lockable windage turrets on the Steiner T6Xi.

Throw Lever

I’m a big fan of throw levers on all riflescopes. I think all manufacturers should include an optional, mountable throw lever to make it easier for shooters to change the magnification level without searching for the magnification ring. It’s also much faster to use a lever than rotate it by hand since the lever also provides a better grip. I shot behind this scope in sub-freezing temperatures, so gloves were a must, and the throw lever made it easier to operate the magnification ring when wearing them.

Illuminated Reticle

I once shot a night PRS match without an illuminated reticle and swore off ever trying that again. An illuminated reticle is something that is better to have and not need than need and not have. The unique feature of this illumination is there are two night vision levels, four night levels, and five day levels of illumination. The T series uses a CR2450 battery, which is a little uncommon from the typical CR2032.

Locking Diopter Ring

If you’re new to riflescopes, the most crucial thing to know about mounting a scope to a gun is that it must be set up for the shooter. The eye relief of a scope is an essential part of this, but so is setting the diopter focus. The T6Xi has a locking diopter ring, so once the reticle is focused on the user’s eye, there’s no need to change it again.

The Steiner T6Xi performed well during testing.

The Reticle

One of the most useful tools Steiner has released is its reticle guide, which can be found on its website. Only you can choose the right reticle for you. Therefore, you must understand your reticle system and be able to use it naturally and quickly.

The T series 5-30x riflescopes come in either the MSR2 MIL or SCR2 MIL reticle. The MSR stands for Multi-Purpose Sniper reticle and is a mil-based reticle that was designed for snipers but has also become popular with precision, long-range shooters. This reticle is a bit beyond my expertise as I have no prior military or law enforcement experience. The reticle is divided into a main reticle, a fine milling scale in the lower left quadrant, and a rapid-ranging scale in the lower right quadrant. The SCR stands for Special Competition Reticle and is a proprietary reticle designed by Steiner for precision competition use. No wonder I prefer it because I live in the competition shooting world.

The SCR2 reticle was designed based on customer feedback, with people asking for a “tree”-style reticle. The tree reticle provides shooters with a quick and accurate way of compensating for both distance and wind without guessing how much wind they are holding for. When makeup shots are needed, the tree reticle aids in range estimation and offers immediate feedback for point-of-impact correction. The SCR2 can seem busy to newer shooters but is perfect for long-range specialists. This specific reticle was tested by champion shooters to ensure the pattern isn’t too complicated, doesn’t obscure the target, and isn’t so simple that it doesn’t provide sufficient functionality. As a MRAD-based design with 0.2 MRAD graduations, the SCR 2 is compatible with all calibers.

Lockable elevation turrets on the Steiner Optics T6Xi.

Does it Match the Gun’s Purpose?

When it comes to choosing a riflescope, you need to know what gun you are mounting it on and for what purpose. This scope size doesn’t make sense on a gun you only plan to shoot out to 100 yards or so, but if you’re ready to dive into long-range shooting competitions on a 6mm or a .308 rifle, then this scope absolutely makes sense. The same goes for the reticle systems. The H6Xi riflescope in the same 5-30x magnification as this one has the Steiner MHR reticle designed specifically for hunting big-game animals. Comparing the T and H series to one another is as wise as comparing apples to oranges. The Tactical and Hunter series scopes from Steiner were designed with purpose and to match a person’s needs.

Quality vs. Cost

So many people miss the point when they mount a low-quality scope onto a high-quality gun or vice versa. A rifle is only as good as the glass you mount on it, and a scope can only do as much as the gun can. It’s a partnership when it comes to the gun and the scope. The T6Xi 5-30×56 is a beast of a scope and will perform in long-range shooting situations, but if you just need a tactical LPVO, consider the T6Xi 1-6×24.

I loved shooting with the Steiner Optics scope and enjoyed the glass clarity, eye relief, and especially the locking wind and elevation knobs. It has a good wide field of view and makes long-range shooting way easier than it usually is. The SCR2 reticle is ideal for wind holds, especially the further out you shoot. Overall, this optic is worth the price tag and will get you on target fast.

For more info, visit steiner-optics.com.

Steiner Optics T6Xi 5-30×56 34mm SCR2 MIL Reticle Specifications

Objective Lens: 56mm
Reticle: SCR2 MIL
Focal Plane: First
Tube Diameter: 34mm
Field of View at 100 Meters: 22-4ft, at 100 yards
Length: 15.75 inches
Weight: 34.5 ounces
Parallax/Focus Range: 25 yards to infinity
Elevation Adjustment Knob: Resettable Zero
Wind/Elevation Click Value: 0.1 MIL
Lens Cap: Yes
Battery: CR2450
Illumination Control: Rotary Dial
MSRP: $2,874.99
Also available in 1-6×24, 2.5-15×50, and 3-18×56. The 5-30x is optional with the MSR2 or the SCR2 reticle.

Steiner Optics T6Xi 5-30x56 34mm SCR2 MIL Reticle.

H6Xi Hunting Scope

The H6Xi 5-30x50mm riflescope is the highest magnification level in the hunting scope lineup. Instead of the SCR2 reticle, it features the Steiner MHR or Modern Hunter Reticle. This reticle has duplex crosshairs for quick aiming in the lower magnification range with illuminated denotation for wind drift and bullet drop when zoomed in for distant shots. The H6Xi is a first focal plane scope with a 30mm tube instead of the 34mm of the T6Xi. The H6Xi elevation adjustment knob is .25 MOA with a wind/elevation click value of 70 MOA, which is completely different from the MILs on the T-Series. Finally, it uses a CR2032 instead of the CR2450. If you’re more into hunting and looking for a long-range hunting riflescope, this is it.