Steiner 2.5-10x42 Predator Review
I was fortunate enough to win this scope from the monthly giveaway at Cameraland. Thank you, Doug; it’s the first time I’ve ever won anything! I mounted this scope on a DPMS 22 upper during the first stage of testing. In all, I put about 1,000 rounds through the rifles during testing.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the glass in this scope. I’d rate it on the same level as the Zeiss Conquest line as far as optics quality goes. The reticle isn’t too busy and is perfect for hunting. It has four holdover points as well as one windage holdover. I used it at a steel plate 22 shoot with targets set at 50 to 200 yards. I sighted the rifle in at 50yds and was able to use the holdovers out to 150yds; the 22 long-rifle drops too much for 200yd shots with this scope. The scope comes with a series of charts for various calibers ranging from 17HMR-325WSM. They are handy since they stick right to the side of your stock for quick reference. I had a blast nailing steel without having to crank the turrets. The power ring is rubber-coated and has a pronounced tab that makes it easier to rotate. During the shoot, I fired approximately 500 rounds and had several other shooters critique the scope. Every shooter was equally impressed with the reticle as well as the optics. The scope is very bright, has true colors, and no distortion at the edges.
Next I installed the scope on my Larue upper. I was only able to shoot out to 200yds at the range. The 223 shoots so flat I wasn’t able to use the Predator reticle as it was designed. I did a box test and the scope tracked perfectly. I like the 42mm objective since you don’t have to worry about the scope being too high. I was able to mount it using med rings. Too many scopes go with huge objectives that make mounting and getting a good cheek weld difficult.
There are a few things Steiner could improve on the scope. A detailed explanation of the reticle should be included in the packaging. The manual is only a few pages long and has no information that pertains to the spacing between the hash marks. The turrets zero by spinning a plastic sleeve which can inadvertently be reset. Personally, I prefer turrets that are spring loaded and just need to be pulled up in order to re-zero. The clicks are a little mushy, but are audible. Once set, you’ll probably never have a need to adjust them. It’s not a tactical scope so no cranking of turrets is needed.
This is the first optic from Steiner I have ever had the chance to use. I really like the aesthetics of the scope. It’s well made with metal turret covers and a nice robust feel. The ocular has a quick focus which is also rubber-coated. I can’t wait to use this scope during coyote season. I even used my shot timer to see how fast I could shoot with this scope at 2.5x. The center of the reticle is quick to spot and I can get shots off almost as quickly as when I’m using my Eotech 552. Another nice feature on the scope is a zoom larger than 3x. The 2.5-10X is a great all around power. Close shots as well as distance shots are easily made. Steiner has definitely done their homework on this one and it was a great way to enter back into the rifle scope market. Their tactical models look pretty nice, too. I’d love to shoot one of them at a 100yds with my 260Rem.
Here is a link to Camerland’s website which shows the scope’s specs:
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/steiner.pl?page=steiner5001
I was fortunate enough to win this scope from the monthly giveaway at Cameraland. Thank you, Doug; it’s the first time I’ve ever won anything! I mounted this scope on a DPMS 22 upper during the first stage of testing. In all, I put about 1,000 rounds through the rifles during testing.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the glass in this scope. I’d rate it on the same level as the Zeiss Conquest line as far as optics quality goes. The reticle isn’t too busy and is perfect for hunting. It has four holdover points as well as one windage holdover. I used it at a steel plate 22 shoot with targets set at 50 to 200 yards. I sighted the rifle in at 50yds and was able to use the holdovers out to 150yds; the 22 long-rifle drops too much for 200yd shots with this scope. The scope comes with a series of charts for various calibers ranging from 17HMR-325WSM. They are handy since they stick right to the side of your stock for quick reference. I had a blast nailing steel without having to crank the turrets. The power ring is rubber-coated and has a pronounced tab that makes it easier to rotate. During the shoot, I fired approximately 500 rounds and had several other shooters critique the scope. Every shooter was equally impressed with the reticle as well as the optics. The scope is very bright, has true colors, and no distortion at the edges.
Next I installed the scope on my Larue upper. I was only able to shoot out to 200yds at the range. The 223 shoots so flat I wasn’t able to use the Predator reticle as it was designed. I did a box test and the scope tracked perfectly. I like the 42mm objective since you don’t have to worry about the scope being too high. I was able to mount it using med rings. Too many scopes go with huge objectives that make mounting and getting a good cheek weld difficult.
There are a few things Steiner could improve on the scope. A detailed explanation of the reticle should be included in the packaging. The manual is only a few pages long and has no information that pertains to the spacing between the hash marks. The turrets zero by spinning a plastic sleeve which can inadvertently be reset. Personally, I prefer turrets that are spring loaded and just need to be pulled up in order to re-zero. The clicks are a little mushy, but are audible. Once set, you’ll probably never have a need to adjust them. It’s not a tactical scope so no cranking of turrets is needed.
This is the first optic from Steiner I have ever had the chance to use. I really like the aesthetics of the scope. It’s well made with metal turret covers and a nice robust feel. The ocular has a quick focus which is also rubber-coated. I can’t wait to use this scope during coyote season. I even used my shot timer to see how fast I could shoot with this scope at 2.5x. The center of the reticle is quick to spot and I can get shots off almost as quickly as when I’m using my Eotech 552. Another nice feature on the scope is a zoom larger than 3x. The 2.5-10X is a great all around power. Close shots as well as distance shots are easily made. Steiner has definitely done their homework on this one and it was a great way to enter back into the rifle scope market. Their tactical models look pretty nice, too. I’d love to shoot one of them at a 100yds with my 260Rem.
Here is a link to Camerland’s website which shows the scope’s specs:
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/steiner.pl?page=steiner5001
