Just received my New Steiner 3-15x50 Some Specs:
Rect: MSR
1/10mil clicks
Travel: 27Mils (actual what I tested. Spec sheet says 26 mils)
Windage: 6 mils both directions
Tube 34mm
FOV 100yds (ft): 39.7'-7.9'
(Compared with steiner 4-16: 28.5'-7.9')
(Compared with steiner 5-25: 23.6'-4.6')
Eye Relief: 3.5"
Exit Pupil: 10.4-3.33
Length: 14.2"
(Steiner 5-25 LEngth: 16.6")
Weight: 32.5 ozs
(Steiner 5-25 Weight: 36.3 ozs
Parallax: Side focus 50-Infinity
Operating Range: -25 to 63 (deg C)
disclaimer: I am not an optics pro. I am an average joe who works in the construction trade. These are my average opinions for the average joe.
So far this review is preliminary. I literally got it last night and cracked it out of box. I plan to mount up on my 22lr to do some box testing. Will update as I further testing.
Initial impressions were very good. It seems alot smaller than the 5-25. VERY robust. I like the shorter ocular. I like the overall size. Seems like it would be at heaven on an AR platfor, like a GAP10 6.5 CM, but I am going to use it on me main match rifle. The last 3 matches I participated in, I never went aboe 12-15 power except for twice (Cold bore shots first thing in morning...ha and I could have missed the OPPS Shoot for the Green and 20+mph winds with less power zoomed in just as easily!! ha)
Glass wise I was utterly impressed. I own or have owned every high end scope. I am a scope horr as well as a Mechanical Engineer. I like comparing/looking at everything. This scope glass wise is as good or BETTER than my Henny or Premeir. I honestly couldnt believe it. Was very easy on the eyes and details are easy to discern at range. I felt like the scope had a higher power than 15x. Comparing to my 5-25, it is better. I would compare my Steiner 5-25 to my S&B 3-20. Good but not in the Henny/Premeir catagory. I would talk about distortion or any other light defraction smaction (lol) but this scope showed none of these traits.
Eye box is solid. Not nearly as good as a Henny, but just as good as my S&B. No complaints.
The knobs are better than the 5-25. My 5-25 knobs are slightly mushy. I realize its because they pack the thing full of grease, but the 3-15 knobs are vert tactile and audible. A definite upgrade from the 5-25. Other than the clicking, from the turret housing back, the size is the exact same as the 5-25.
The zoom ring is the same as the 5-25 but turns twice as easily. A definite upgrade here as well as I thought the 5-25 was excessively tough to turn.
Illuminations worked spot on and I really like how the knob has a off detent after every increasing power number (...6 - off - 7 - off - 8 - off...etc)
MSR rect is quite appealing. I have never used it and it seems to have everything I need. I wish they didnt have the quick range bars on the lower right, as I will never use it, but I do like the target milling hashes on the lower left. I also like the floating center cross. A nice feature is the solid horizontal and top vertical hash. I always hate FFP scopes because you will never be able to use them at low powers (rect too small). These thick bars allow quick acquisition at low powers and I feel like hunting, I would not have a problem getting on target quickly. I also like the lower vertical hair is continues all the way down. If I want to long range it with an AR10 or my 338, I can make accurate holds all the way to over 50 mils. Obviously more than I will need, but I may have to snipe a rock at 2 miles!! ha...
Well, here are some pics. As you can tell, CO has been hit by some weather. Took these pics this morning before heading out. Can see a fence at 65 yards in the 3x pic. The 15x pic I was able to see a tractor at 550 yards, but camera didnt pick it up. Crazy snow in May.
3x
15x
Compared to 5-25 (5-25 has sunshade on)
I would also like to give a shout out to the Ted with American RIfle Company and their new M10 Rings. These rings are a true engineering masterpiece. The spec sheet says to torq ALL screws to 65 in*lbs. 65!!!
I was a little nervous, so I torq'd in increments to check for damage. Not a mark. Definitely check them out. Top notch.
Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will address them as best I can. Will update as weather permits. Will be at Snipers Hide Cup this year, as well as Score Hi and a few other matches, so if you want to check it out, let me know.
Regards,
DT
