The Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 riflescope is a well-made optic that boasts 8x zoom at an unbeatable price. The rare magnification and lens size combo make this Steiner Ranger 8 a versatile companion for flatland stalking, raised hide deer hunting, and other mid-range engagements.
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Steiner Optik
Steiner is a well-known German company that hails from Bavaria. They were formed in 1947 and are the biggest producer of binoculars in Europe. In recent history, the company was acquired by the international Beretta Holding. This group participates in 32 international companies, many of which are well-known in the world of hunting like the American Burris and European pedigree names like Benelli, Franchi, Tikka, and Sako. After this business move, Steiner branched out to the production of riflescopes for military and private users.
Hunting Scopes by Steiner
Steiner Optik’s first launch on the civilian market was the Steiner Nighthunter series. This line belonged to the premium class, and the pricing began at €2500 per scope. At no fault of their own, Steiner Nighthunter models were dead on arrival.
The reason behind the Nighthunter failure was that Steiner went directly against high-end scopes like Leica Magnus and Zeiss V8. Hunters had little reason to spend large sums of money on an uncertified, first-time manufacturer of hunting scopes. There was no history of success that would gain their trust. When buying a scope is an investment, people go for tried and true names like Swarovski and Zeiss.
After the failed attempt at entering the premium hunting scope market, Steiner took another approach and released the Ranger series of scopes in 2017. The first generation consisted of four models, all with a 4x zoom factor. They were very good quality and price-wise, Rangers were placed at around €1000.
Steiner Ranger Riflescopes
Steiner Ranger riflescopes were affordable but also offered a whole lot. Their biggest competition in this price class was Zeiss with their now-discontinued Conquest DL line. Later, Zeiss renewed their efforts in this segment and released Zeiss V4 models. Those are very successful and remain one of Zeiss’ core products. Nevertheless, Steiner outsold Nighthunter scopes and made their mark on the market.
Steiner Ranger 4
In 2021, after the great reception of their Ranger scopes, Steiner released an updated version: the Ranger 4. These new scopes offer even better optical performance than before and are more popular among hunters than comparable models from other brands such as Zeiss or Minox. Not to even mention Japanese and American brands that tend to struggle in traditional European markets. In fact, many reviewers consider them to be lighter in weight and easier to use than similar riflescopes on the market today. For just €1000, the Steiner Ranger 4 scope is a steal for any type of hunter who wants quality without breaking the bank.
Steiner Ranger 6
In the same year, Steiner unveiled Ranger 6 series. These scopes are a tad pricier than Ranger 4s but are well worth the extra €500. Ranger 6 series is limited to 2 models, the wide-angle 1-6×24 for driven hunt and 3-18×56 for low-light hunt. These two are a complete jackpot for Steiner. Both ranked very high in the extensive tests we conducted for Optics Trade Buying Guides. Priced at €1500, Steiner Ranger 6 models make a strong case for Best-in-Class.
Steiner Ranger 8
Now imagine our excitement when Optics Trade visited Steiner HQs and our partners revealed their plans for Ranger 8, showing us scope prototypes and market strategy. Ranger 6 scopes were already kicking above their weight, and Ranger 8s were promised to be even better.
What surprised us was the proposed price of the Steiner Ranger 8. Never ever had 8x zoom scopes from a European brand been this affordable. All comparable European scopes cost at least €1000 more. Steiner effectively created a new price class of 8x zoom scopes.
This was in 2021 and Ranger 8 has since reached hunters worldwide. With extensive testing and comparing the performance of Steiner Ranger 8s to rivals, we can now understand where Steiner Optik is coming from.
Steiner Ranger 8 Models
- Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 (parallax fixed at 100m)
- Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 (BT turret optional)
- Steiner Ranger 8 3-24×56 (BT turret optional)
- Steiner Ranger 8 4-32×56 (BT turret optional)
Physical Properties
Build-wise, this Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 riflescope retained the sleek look of older Ranger models. The scratch-resistant 30-millimeter tube has a silky, almost glossy finish.
The internals are purged with dry Nitrogen gas to eliminate lens fogging at low temperatures. Steiner Ranger 8 scopes work from -25° to +65° Celsius (-13° to 149° Fahrenheit).
The Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 scope is a good choice for stalking, as it only weighs 660 grams (23.3oz). It’s also quite compact, measuring 35 centimeters in length (13.7in).
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Windage and Elevation Turrets
Steiner Ranger 8 riflescopes come in two distinct designs: the standard hunting turret (low-profile and capped) or the ballistic compensation turret (BT). Both turrets feature zero stops and are single-turn turrets, which is interesting. Single-turn turrets with zero stop are an unusual sight on hunting riflescopes below €2000.
This 2-16×50 scope provides 1.6 meters (or 16 mRAD) of elevation. The elevation turret contains no turn indicator but does have a hard zero stop. The Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 has great clicks; they’re audible and possess a satisfying feel to them. A single click on this riflescope is equivalent to a 0.1 MIL travel value.
Setting the Zero on Turrets
How do you set zero on the elevation turret? First, remove the turret cap with the 1.5mm Allen key supplied in the product box. Next, remove the index ring. This will reveal a bare turret with a white arrow next to “reset zero stop” inscribed on top. Loosen the 3 horizontally-placed grub screws on the sides.
Now you’re free to rotate the turret to your zero. The turret will automatically stop at the zero position. This is because the middle part of the turret is the zero stop. All that’s left to do is to retighten the grub screws and push the index ring back on to zero position. Screw the top cover of the elevation turret back on and you’re ready for action.
Optical Properties
What’s the optical performance of this Steiner Ranger 8 like? The image is clear and bright. This Steiner 2-16×50 is optically much closer to 6x zoom scopes priced at €1500 than you’d expect. But for the small uptake in price, Steiner users get an 8x zoom scope.
Eyebox and Eye Relief
The eye relief is 95 millimeters, so almost 10 centimeters. The light transmission is more than 90%. The Optics Trade team was impressed with Ranger 6 scope for low-light hunt. We haven’t tested Ranger 8 as thoroughly but expect similar endurance in the dark.
The eyebox is comfortable. While it does not compare to high-end 8x zoom scopes, it is still good quality. There is no tunnel effect on any of the magnifications; however, you can tell that the field of view isn’t as great as premium scopes from Zeiss or Leica.
Field of View
At 2x magnification, this scope shows a field of view of 19m/100m. That’s not too shabby but the FOV numbers cannot compare to true premium scopes like Swarovski Z8 2-16x50i (21m/100m) or Zeiss Victory V8 1.8-14×50 T* (23m/100m). But of course, Steiner is a whole lot more affordable than those two.
The Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss scopes might have a wider field of view at 2x than the Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 scope, but that’s not what this particular Steiner is all about. What sets it apart is its added flexibility in terms of magnification range – 2-16x as opposed to the more usual 2-12x. This makes it ideal for deer stalking or raised hide hunting, among other things.
Reticle Illumination
The reticle is in the second focal plane. Steiner is not known to offer a variety of reticle designs. All Steiner Ranger scopes have only one option, the German #4. The battery inside the side turret that powers illumination is CR 2032.
For reticle illumination, Steiner Ranger 8 uses optical fibers. This technology optimizes illumination intensity and crisp lines. Steiner Ranger 8 4Ai reticle is almost as nice as Zeiss optical-fiber reticles.
Note that the lines on Steiner 4Ai are a little bit thicker than with Swarovski and Leica. That’s not a bad thing. In low-light situations, reticles with thicker lines are easier to see. Robust reticle lines are also preferred for hunters who don’t have perfect eyesight. The eye strain isn’t quite as bad as with super fine lines.
Ballistic Compensation
The BDC turret has 4 rings for different ballistic curves. BDC turret does not have a locking mechanism but works with zero stop. It’s smart and easy to set to zero as the basic build is identical to the capped elevation turret. Set them at a correct click value and your BDC turret is ready to be used.
We advise you to use ballistic apps like Strelok when choosing the appropriate ring. Also, always test your hunting scope at a shooting range before a the first hunt of the season.
Pros
What are the biggest positives about Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24? The turrets are good. The BDC turret has a very intuitive design and is easy to set. The tactile clicks are nice – audible and crisp.
It’s nice that Steiner Ranger 8 models come with plastic lens caps included in the package. Compare that to the lower-priced Steiner Ranger 4 and 6, where you get only the most basic bikini lens covers that are unusable in the field. We see time and time again that hunters first buy an entry-level or mid-priced scope, then purchase lens caps a few months later. Steiner Ranger 8 saves you the hassle. Just don’t expect the same quality as metallic caps on premium scopes that go for 2000 EUR and more.
As far as the build quality of Ranger 8 models is concerned, they’re top-notch optics just like Ranger 6 and Ranger 4. The hunter is getting amazing value for money. Just look at the competition. Steiner Ranger 8 is about €600 more affordable than Swarovski Z6 scopes and Blaser Infinity. The difference in price between the 8x zoom Swarovski Z8 and Steiner Ranger 8 is a staggering €1000.
The 8x zoom is a real accomplishment. There’s a big industry trend of increasing zoom factors. While scopes with less powerful zooms like 4x zoom scopes have a brighter view-through and are optically perfected, the versatility of 6x and 8x zooms is not to be ignored. Just from the engineering standpoint, building an 8x zoom scope is a marker of quality all by itself.
Pros Summary:
- unbeatable price to performance
- rare 2-16×50 configuration
- 8x zoom
- optical fiber illumination
- single-turn turrets with hard stop
Cons
What could have been done better? Steiner could improve the field of view to completely blow out the competition. Another flaw is the edge-to-edge sharpness that leaves a lot to desire.
It’s not even that Steiner Ranger 8 isn’t a solid optic. We just have to keep in mind that the benchmark product is the Swarovski Z8 of the same magnification. No matter the 1000-euro difference in price, people will compare the two 2-16x50i scopes and be disappointed in Steiner. It’s not fair but it is true.
Now Steiner could do more to widen the gap between Ranger 8 and Ranger 6 models. They are just too similar optically to justify spending the extra cash. Not just the optics, the Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 could be made a little shorter. Ranger 8, however, does have a better ballistic turret.
Since this is a €2000 scope, many hunters will be disappointed to learn that German Steiner makes Ranger 8s in the USA. Some might even argue that this isn’t a European product. While you’d be hard-pressed to find a scope for this price point made in Germany, there are other locations available. Leica and Schmidt&Bender, for example, make scopes of the same value in Portugal and Hungary. Kahles is another manufacturer that makes €2000 scopes in Austria. It is possible.
Cons Summary:
- FOV at 2x
- edge-to-edge sharpness
- too similar to Ranger 6
- not made in Germany
Steiner vs. Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss
Now, let’s talk about Steiner Ranger 8 6-12×50 closest rivals. As we repeated many times, this scope can be best positioned against the 6x zoom scopes of other European manufacturers.
Steiner Ranger 8 2-16x is the strongest model in the Ranger 8 series as it is the most unique. The 2-16x magnification range was a great decision by Steiner since most brands’ catalog is limited to 2-12x models.
Zeiss Conquest V6 3-18×50 SFP is another competitor. The main drawback of Zeiss is that there’s no reticle illumination, so say goodbye to a low-light hunt. Not only that, with 3-18x magnification you’re also losing quite a lot of field of view on the lower side.
At the first glance, this scope is very similar to Swarovski Z8i 2-16×50 P. Steiner Ranger 8 models cannot compare to Swarovski Z8, Zeiss V8, or Blaser Infinity. But you can get this Steiner for €1850, whereas the most expensive Z8i 2-16×50 sells for €3087. Even the most basic Swarovski Z8i with capped turrets and without the built-in SR rail costs €2619, almost €1000 more than Steiner Ranger 8.
Leica Fortis 6 2-12x50i is a tad cheaper than this Ranger 8. The image clarity of Leica is better but again, the versatility of that model is limited. Leica stops at 12x, while Steiner goes all the way to 16x.
Finally, there’s the Blaser B2 2-12×50 iC. This one costs about 200 euros less but doesn’t pose serious competition to Steiner. Beyond the 2-12x magnification, the biggest limitation of Blaser B2 is that there is no parallax adjustment. The next model Blaser has to offer is Infinity, which is already in a whole other price class and sports a 56mm objective lens.
There isn’t any suitable match for Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50, at least not in Europe. Steiner Optik made a scope that sits in a class of its own. Lowballing the price was a fantastic move by Steiner. There are not many scopes that cost around €1800, offer 8x zoom, and are manufactured by a European brand.
Scope of Delivery
Steiner Ranger scopes arrive in a foam-padded product box. The accessories included in the packaging are: flip-up lens covers, lens cleaning cloth, hex jey and a Steiner 8 manual booklet.
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Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 Price
Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 riflescope with capped turrets costs €1849. This scope can also be purchased with BC-style turrets. You can get Steiner Ranger 8 with BC turrets for €1999, which is a great price for 8x zoom scope.
Steiner Ranger 8 Warranty
Like all other models bearing the Ranger name, Steiner Ranger 8s are made in the US. These riflescopes come with a 10-year warranty.
Furthermore, if you purchase Steiner Optics, you can be confident that the manufacturer will always stand by their product. So not only are these optics tough and long-lasting, but in the event that something does go wrong, they are readily available to service or repair your investment – even years down the line. This level of customer support is what sets Steiner apart from its competitors – even those who charge more for their products.
Final Thoughts on Ranger 8 2-16×50
The Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 is an impressive riflescope that offers incredible value for the price. With a 10-year warranty and European repair service, this scope is built to last. The 2-16x magnification range makes it perfect for a variety of hunting applications. The 50mm objective lens allows for good light permeability in low-light conditions but keeps the scope tight and compact – unlike the overbearing 56mm lens size.
This model is the strongest in the whole Ranger 8 series as similar-priced optics can only offer 6x zoom and a maximum magnification of 12x. The Steiner Optik brand is known for its quality and customer support, and the Ranger 8 2-16×50 is no exception. If you’re looking for an 8x zoom scope and your budget is around €2000, this is the option for you.
Interested in this 8x zoom scope?
Read More
- Optics Info Article: Steiner Ranger 8 Riflescopes Preview
Steiner Ranger 8 2-16×50 Photos
