Steiner H6Xi 3-18x50 Riflescope: Great Clarity and Performance

Steiner's H6Xi 3-18x50 STR MIL is a first-focal plane scope that offers dynamic crossover use for hunting and competition.

June 15, 2025 By Rodger Holscher

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard of Steiner. I bought my first Steiner rifle scope in February 2015 when I got my first true “long-range” rifle. This was a Steiner T5Xi 5-25x56 with the SCR reticle. This scope has since been discontinued and replaced with the T6Xi. Since 2015, I have owned the Steiner Predator 4 and Predator 8 rifle scopes. While the T5Xi and Predator series scopes served their respective purposes well enough, they didn’t check the boxes I needed for a do-it-all scope for hunting and competition.

The T5Xi was big and heavy, but the turrets were crisp. It also had a first focal plane reticle, which is what I wanted. The Predator scopes were lighter weight, but the reticles were in second focal plane and their turrets left a lot to be desired. I needed something right in the middle. I was always hypercritical of the Steiner Predator series and having second focal plane reticles in such high magnification ranges. I was a fan of the E3 reticle in the Predator 4 and Predator 8 series, but it was second a focal plane reticle. I was still able to make those scopes work for my style of hunting. I was fortunate enough to use those three scope models to take some nice animals over the years. The biggest problem with the T series and Predator series scopes is they didn’t crossover from hunting to competition. I wanted something more. This is where the H6Xi steps in.

In the fall of 2023, Steiner released their H6Xi rifle scope. The Steiner H6Xi blends the best of the Steiner hunting and tactical scopes. The H6Xi is built on the legacy of the T6Xi but has some of the hunting-specific traits of the Predator series. Since the release of the H6Xi, I knew I needed to get one. On paper, the H6Xi checks a lot of my boxes for a long-range hunting/competition scope.

Evaluation Parameters

rifle on tall bipod — (Photo courtesy of Rodger Holscher)

For this testing, I put the scope on my new wildcat hunting rifle build. This build is a 6.5/7PRC built on a Howa Long Action, 20-inch fluted Ace Barrel (1-7.5 twist), JK Armament RPX Suppressor (with their radial compensator end cap) and placed in a McMillan Game Warden Stock. This rifle is easily shooting a Hornady 153 A-Tip at 3000 fps.

I took this rifle/scope setup on multiple spring bear hunts here in Idaho, along with numerous range trips. During the range (down a washboard dirt road) and hunting trips, the rifle was in a soft case in the backseat of my truck. I wanted the Steiner H6Xi to get the abuse of the rough dirt roads. Once on the mountain, the rifle was slung on the left side of my Initial Ascent 5K backpack. The scope and muzzle were covered with a Marsupial Gear Padded Scope and Muzzle Cover. Even with the cover, the rifle and scope still accrued some abuse.

To assess the zero retention, whenever I get to the range or trailhead, I like to shoot at either steel or a rock at long range. This allows me to check a few things. It checks both the optic’s ability to hold zero and track. It checks my rifle and its ability to hold together as a system. But more importantly, it allows me to check my ability as a shooter to build a field position, wind call, and make sure my data is correct.

In the field while hunting, I was able to make first-round impacts on rocks at some extended distances: 770 yards, 1,030 yards, and 1,340 yards. I was impressed with the ability of this scope to maintain its zero and track properly. I’m not advocating that people hunt at those distances, but it’s nice to check your system at those ranges.

Initial Glass Quality Impressions

shooting prone with rifle on bipod — (Photo courtesy of Rodger Holscher)

The Steiner H6Xi has HD glass that is clear and crisp. The colors are bright, and the edge-to-edge clarity is great. The 50mm objective lens gathers enough light to allow for shooting up to and past legal shooting light. With the 92% light transmission, you will not be hindered by the glass in this optic. I’m not a big glass snob when it comes to rifle scopes. Glass quality is down the list of importance to me for a rifle scope. With that being said, the glass quality on the H6Xi is excellent.

The Nuts and Bolts of Rugged Reliability

turret machining grooves — (Photo courtesy of Rodger Holscher)

Every part of this scope is built for ruggedness and reliability. When you put your hands on the scope and start turning all the knobs, you realize that this scope is not a “budget” scope.

The elevation turret has crisp, audible detents (clicks), and they are very tactile. The elevation turret is held onto the erector system by two screws (at 11 and 1 o’clock if looking down on the turret). There is a small post pressed into it that is at about the 6 MIL position on the turret and a channel on the outside of the erector system where this post rides in. The combination of the channel and post system is what creates the zero stop and rotation limiter. The elevation turrets are marked with 12 MILs of travel per rotation. The rotation limiting channel/post in the turret only allows for 11.4 MILs of travel before it stops.

This is one of the features that the H6Xi borrows from the Predator 8 series of scopes. The Predator 8 has a similar type of zero stop and rotation limiter. This was a bigger problem in the Predator series for me because there was only about 14 MOA of usable travel. This limited the effective range of my 300 WSM to only about 700 yards.

I initially was concerned about this rotation limiter on the H6Xi. That quickly went away when I started running the number. Even a cartridge with less horsepower than my 6.5/7PRC, you will still have enough vertical travel for hunting distances. For example, my 6.5/7PRC with that Hornady 153 A-Tip load (with a density altitude of almost 5,700 feet) will get out to over 1,500 yards with that 11.4 MILs of travel. For most hunting cartridge/bullet combinations, your bullet will go under the expansion velocity threshold before you run out of adjustment on the turret. The rotation limiter keeps you from being a revolution off. This is usually hard to do on a MIL scope, but I’ve seen it happen in matches with guys running a MOA setup.

If I could make one change to the scope, it would be a taller elevation turret—albeit, this is specifically a personal preference for my shooting processes and applications, but I acknowledge the lower-profile turret is great at keeping the scope streamlined but still extremely functional. The low-profile turret makes it tricky, yet not impossible, to put a BDC strip on, as I usually take red transparent taillight repair tape and put it around the elevation turret. Next, I run the data for the area I plan to hunt, then mark the turret with a white or yellow oil based ultra-fine point Sharpie. This gives me the speed of a BDC turret when I need it, but I can still see the turret markings when I want to dial MILs and not yardage—again, I must preface that I tailor it for my shooting workflow and that this scope's turret doesn't necessitate customization.

Zero stops and locking turrets are nice but the ultimate in assurance that your turret will not get accidentally spun is a capped turret. The Steiner H6Xi 3-18 comes with the exposed turret installed from the factory but there is a capped turret option included in the box. The capped turret option replaces the larger turret with a smaller profile turret with the same 12 MILs of travel marked. This smaller turret, when installed, exposes the threads that are hidden when the larger turret is installed. There is also an included turret cap that is the same as the cap on the windage turret. With a few turns of that turret cap, you can have your elevation turret exposed. You don’t sacrifice any reliability with tracking when going from the larger turret to the smaller capped version.

The windage turret has 12 MILs of travel per rotation. The windage turret is marked with left and right marks for 5 MILs in each direction. The windage turret is also capped to keep you from accidentally spinning on wind. Once you zero your rifle, you can slip the turret back to zero by loosening two screws like the elevation turret.

The parallax has graduation markings on the side but no yardage marks. The parallax adjustment is smooth and responsive. On the outside of the parallax knob is the illumination rotary dial. The reticle illuminates for 3 MILs down from center, 1 MIL up and 2 MILs both left and right of center. The illumination was crisp and didn’t blow out the reticle subtensions. The illumination rotary dial has off positions in between each of the eleven intensity levels. This allows you to stage the illumination setting that you want instead of having to roll through all of them.

Smooth Adjustability

steiner scope on custom rifle — (Photo courtesy of Rodger Holscher)

The diopter is smooth to adjust and responsive to small adjustments. When you get the diopter set to your liking, there is a locking ring (jam nut style) that you use to lock out the movement of the diopter. This keeps the diopter from moving when you don’t want it to. A bonus to this scope is the included scope caps for both ends of the scope. I did have an issue with the scope caps being harder than I would like to open and close. It might be nitpicking the scope at this point, but it was something I noted.

There are two different sized throw levers, included in the box with the Steiner H6Xi. There is a large and small throw lever. The throw lever wraps around the magnification ring, and you just change the size of the protruding lever to your liking. I elected to install the smaller of the two and it gave me great purchase on the magnification to make quick adjustments without getting in the way.

Reticle

Steiner’s STR (Steiner Tree Reticle) MIL reticle is an improvement on the SCR reticle that I had in my old Steiner T5Xi. The STR MIL reticle has 0.2 Milliradian (MILs or MRAD) subtensions in every direction. On both the horizontal and vertical portions of the reticle, the 0.2 and 0.8 MIL subtensions are on the same side of the line with the 0.4 and 0.6 MIL subtensions on the other. This allows for a quick reference for your holds without needing to count. The “tree” portion of the reticle is a usable size but doesn’t clutter your view. The center aiming point is a floating dot that has a diameter or 0.1 MILs. This is a fine enough aiming point for precision shooting at 100 yards but still visible when shooting at a distance.

I will note that the H6Xi 3-18x50 is also offered in an MOA version with the Steiner MHR (Modern Hunting Reticle). This reticle is based on the E3 reticle that I liked in the Predator series of scopes, but in first focal plane. This will be a great reticle for someone that wants to install the capped elevation turret. You will still have the quick engagement aspect of the BDC first focal plane reticle but still be able to dial your elevation if needed. I didn’t go with this reticle option because it’s only offered in MOA. If they made a MIL version of the MHR reticle, I would have chosen that option over the STR reticle.

Tracking and Durability

hand holding turret caps — (Photo courtesy of Rodger Holscher)

As previously stated, I put this scope through a lot of abuse without getting intentional about it. I’ve had other scopes fail to hold zero after just a few trips to the range down the washboard road I have to drive to get there. This scope held up to that abuse and the abuse of the recoil from my rifle. Each time I checked zero, it passed the test. The tracking was true to within my system's ability to shoot.

The only problem I can see arising for people is the three little screws that hold the turret on the erector system. These screws are like those found on other popular scopes like Nightforce and Leupold. If those screws become loose, you can spin the turret without it moving the erector. This will cause you some headaches in the field, so always make sure those screws are tight.

Conclusion

capped turrets — (Photo courtesy of Rodger Holscher)

The Steiner H6Xi has quickly become one of my favorite scopes. The ruggedness, reliability, fit, finish, and options you get with the Steiner H6Xi make this one of the best hunting scopes on the market. This scope would even be a great scope for those looking for a crossover scope for NRL Hunter type matches. I do plan to put this scope on my NRL Hunter rifle here soon.

There are so many things to like about this optic. The pros, such as price point, magnification range, low-light performance, optional capped turret, and positive adjustments, vastly outweigh the trivial cons of a short elevation turret and difficult scope caps. If you have a chance to get your hands on one, you will not be disappointed.