Rifle Scopes Burris/Steiner

[SFree]

So what are the differences between Burris and Steiner? A number of mechanical differences or a few outward/ cosmetic differences?
I’ve owned S&B, Leupold, Bushnell, and now 2 Gen 2 Razors, but want to lose weight and the new SCR2, illuminated scopes are very interesting...
Edumacate me!

 

[AIAW]

Isn’t the difference between every optic just a few mechanical and cosmetic differences?

They are both owned by Beretta now. Burris manufactures some models out of Colorado. Not sure how integrated the two are now though, or if Steiner is still manufacturing in Germany or not.

I have never owned a Burris optic, but have owned a few old-school Steiner optics. Burris always seemed like a mainstream budget-optic to me. Steiner always had the optical quality/engineering/reticles going for it.

That being said, I have little, or dated, experience with either unfortunately. If I had to pick today, it would be a Steiner T5Xi SCR. Deep down I am a S&B fanboy though.

 

[koshkin]

There are no shared scope models between Burris and Steiner to the best of my knowledge.

ILya

 

[Birddog6424]

Two separate companies with two separate scope lines.

A little shared tech is a possibility, but you wont see a scope that is re-branded as a Steiner or a Burris. Each brand maintains its individual identity.

 

[Glassaholic]

Isn’t the difference between every optic just a few mechanical and cosmetic differences?

They are both owned by Beretta now. Burris manufactures some models out of Colorado. Not sure how integrated the two are now though, or if Steiner is still manufacturing in Germany or not.

I have never owned a Burris optic, but have owned a few old-school Steiner optics. Burris always seemed like a mainstream budget-optic to me. Steiner always had the optical quality/engineering/reticles going for it.

That being said, I have little, or dated, experience with either unfortunately. If I had to pick today, it would be a Steiner T5Xi SCR. Deep down I am a S&B fanboy though.

While they are under the same corporate conglomerate now they still maintain their individuality. While the T5Xi was assembled at the Burris plant in Greeley, they maintain their separate assemblies and did not cross over other than reticle. While most of Steiner's line is made in Germany, Burris seems to be moving more towards the US with their higher end (XTR III) scopes and are fully assembling here in the states; however, their other lines are still being manufactured in Philippines and other areas I believe.

Like ILya and Birddog mentioned above, you will not find shared parts, Burris manufacturers their own tubes and Steiner manufacture's their own tubes, they each have their own turrets and so forth, maybe some internals and small parts are shared, maybe glass is sourced the same but with different coatings but that's about where the similarities end.

As to your comment about the T5Xi being the scope you would pick today I would recommend you look at one before making that decision, the T5Xi had some of the worst CA I've ever seen in a scope and if you are used to Schmidt and Bender I think it would be bothersome, that being said I really liked the turrets on the T5Xi and wish other manufacturers would adopt the second rev window. While the Burris XTR III 5.5-30x56 seems to be a detriment at the bottom end, look at the FOV numbers and you'll find the 5.5-30 actually has wider FOV than most 5-25's do at 5x and FOV almost always trumps magnification in my book, so don't let the 5.5x vs 5x dissuade you (based on early reports it sounds like the XTR III is the better scope vs. the T5Xi). While the XTR II was definitely more the mainstream "budget" scope as you mention, the XTR III seems to be Burris' attempt to move up into the next tier, but instead of charging $2k street for the scopes, they are under $2k which is a plus as well especially if they can hang with the $2k crowd (I'm thinking Leupold Mark 5, Steiner T5Xi and even the Vortex Gen II and AMG series et al).

I have a 3.3-18x50 on order and hope to get it in hand soon to see it for myself as I'm very fond of ultra short style scopes that perform as well as their longer counterparts.

 

[AIAW]

While they are under the same corporate conglomerate now they still maintain their individuality. While the T5Xi was assembled at the Burris plant in Greeley, they maintain their separate assemblies and did not cross over other than reticle. While most of Steiner's line is made in Germany, Burris seems to be moving more towards the US with their higher end (XTR III) scopes and are fully assembling here in the states; however, their other lines are still being manufactured in Philippines and other areas I believe.

Like ILya and Birddog mentioned above, you will not find shared parts, Burris manufacturers their own tubes and Steiner manufacture's their own tubes, they each have their own turrets and so forth, maybe some internals and small parts are shared, maybe glass is sourced the same but with different coatings but that's about where the similarities end.

As to your comment about the T5Xi being the scope you would pick today I would recommend you look at one before making that decision, the T5Xi had some of the worst CA I've ever seen in a scope and if you are used to Schmidt and Bender I think it would be bothersome, that being said I really liked the turrets on the T5Xi and wish other manufacturers would adopt the second rev window. While the Burris XTR III 5.5-30x56 seems to be a detriment at the bottom end, look at the FOV numbers and you'll find the 5.5-30 actually has wider FOV than most 5-25's do at 5x and FOV almost always trumps magnification in my book, so don't let the 5.5x vs 5x dissuade you (based on early reports it sounds like the XTR III is the better scope vs. the T5Xi). While the XTR II was definitely more the mainstream "budget" scope as you mention, the XTR III seems to be Burris' attempt to move up into the next tier, but instead of charging $2k street for the scopes, they are under $2k which is a plus as well especially if they can hang with the $2k crowd (I'm thinking Leupold Mark 5, Steiner T5Xi and even the Vortex Gen II and AMG series et al).

I have a 3.3-18x50 on order and hope to get it in hand soon to see it for myself as I'm very fond of ultra short style scopes that perform as well as their longer counterparts.

Nice. That’s sort of what I was thinking from the little research I did after posting originally. Like I said previously I have very little experience with either really. This is excellent info you replied with, especially for the OP.

Yes, the color aberration alone not factoring in any other optical anomalies would be bothersome. S&B generally has very good CA factors, along with other traits you’d expect in a top-tier optic of course. Not really like I am teaching anyone anything with that last statement!

 

[Pharmer909]

Trumps new tarrifs on German optical glass might force changes within the company. Will be interesting to see

 

[Kamerad]

Some of the fixed 3x and 5x optics bear a strong resemblance to one another.I have a couple Steiner M332 carbine scopes, and really like them. I haven’t laid hands and eyes on the Burris models yet, so it may be merely superficial. The sales info I’ve seen indicates the M332s were assembled in the US.