Steiner Predator 8 3-24×50 Review: My Field Test

Last updated on August 9th, 2026

This Steiner Predator 8 review covers the 3-24×50 model I used on my Sako 85 Finnlight II. It is a premium hunting scope rather than a tactical scope in lighter clothing: the 25.2oz weight, 3x bottom end, second focal plane E3 reticle and distance-ring ballistic turret all make more sense on a carried hunting rifle than on a PRS build.

Quick verdict: the Predator 8 3-24×50 gives a bright, high-contrast image, a useful 3-24x range and an uncomplicated hunting reticle without making the Finnlight II feel badly over-scoped. I liked its glass, eye relief and positive controls. Its limits are equally clear: only 40 MOA of published elevation, second focal plane holds and a 20-yard minimum parallax make it less flexible than a dedicated FFP tactical optic.

My observations here come from handling and shooting with the loan scope, including checking image quality across the zoom range, reticle visibility, turret feel and balance on the rifle. I did not run an instrumented light-transmission test, a tall-target tracking test or a controlled return-to-zero endurance test. Steiner performance claims and the exact specifications are identified separately from what I observed.

Steiner Predator 8 3-24×50 Specifications

Those numbers explain the role. The Predator 8 reaches 24x while remaining more than 9oz lighter than the 34.5oz T6Xi 5-30×56. The compromise is a smaller 30mm tube, less published elevation and a rear focal plane reticle. A buyer should decide whether the rifle will be carried and used for a small number of deliberate field shots, or repeatedly dialled and held with a MIL reticle on the range.

How the Predator 8 Felt on My Sako Finnlight II

The Finnlight II is a light hunting rifle, so scope balance mattered as much as magnification. At 25.2oz, the 3-24×50 was not an ultralight optic, but it did not overwhelm the rifle in the way a 34mm tactical scope can. I could carry the combination for extended periods without feeling that the optic had turned the rifle into a front-heavy range setup.

The 3x low end was useful for finding a target quickly and maintaining situational awareness. At the top of the range, 24x was available for closer inspection or a supported long shot, but maximum magnification was not automatically the best setting. Mirage, position and a smaller exit pupil can make a lower setting more useful in real conditions.

For a direct role comparison, the Steiner T6Xi vs Predator 8 guide separates the carried hunting use case from the heavy precision-rifle use case.

Glass Quality and Low-Light Use

The glass was the strongest part of my time with the Predator 8. The view was bright, crisp and high in contrast, and colours looked natural rather than heavily tinted. I did not see obvious chromatic aberration during normal use, and the image did not show distracting tunnelling at the low end.

Steiner describes the model as using high-contrast coatings and promoting strong edge-to-edge detail. My useful finding is narrower: the scope gave me a clear image and remained easy to use as the light deteriorated. I did not compare it on a timed resolution chart at identical exit pupils, so I would not convert that field impression into a measured transmission percentage.

The 50mm objective helps preserve a useful exit pupil through the middle of the zoom range. At 24x the published 2.3mm exit pupil is much less forgiving, which is normal. For low light I would normally back magnification down until the image, eye position and target detail improve rather than assuming more power must reveal more.

Eye Box, Eye Relief and Focus

The published 3.7in eye relief gave sensible clearance on the Finnlight II. Eye relief alone does not determine comfort, though: ring height, stock comb, length of pull and shooting position decide whether the full image appears naturally. I set the scope at maximum magnification before finalising fore-and-aft position because the eye box is least forgiving there.

The side focus runs from 20 yards to infinity. That is useful for a centrefire hunting scope and occasional close-range checking, although it is not a substitute for confirming parallax at the actual target distance. The diopter should be set against a blank background first so the reticle is sharp without the eye trying to accommodate.

E3 Reticle: Simple, but Ballistic Holds Need Validation

The E3 is a clean illuminated hunting reticle with lower elevation references and wind dots. I found it much faster to interpret than a dense competition tree when the priority was placing the centre on an animal rather than reading a large grid. The centre and main posts remained visible without turning the view into a technical worksheet.

Because this is a second focal plane scope, the angular value represented by a reticle mark changes as magnification changes. The E3 references also cannot know the muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, sight height, density altitude or zero of a particular rifle. Treat the marks as a starting system, then confirm the correct magnification and actual impacts for the chosen load.

Illumination has 11 settings and uses a CR2032 battery. I would set the lowest level that remains visible against the target. Excess brightness can flare around the centre in darkness and reduce the detail the illuminated point was meant to preserve.

Ballistic Turret and Zero Mode

The elevation turret uses three movable numbered rings that can be aligned to chosen shooting distances. Once a load is verified, that can make a field correction faster than reading a conventional DOPE card and converting the answer under pressure. The clicks felt positive in my hands, and the markings were straightforward to read.

The important word is verified. A distance ring only remains correct for the rifle, ammunition and conditions used to build it. Temperature, altitude, a changed muzzle velocity or a different projectile can move the actual impact away from the distance label. I would confirm every intended ring position on target and keep the underlying MOA correction recorded separately.

Zero Mode provides a repeatable stop when returning the elevation control to the established zero. I confirmed the control layout and normal adjustment feel, but I did not complete enough full-range cycles on a measured target to claim laboratory-grade tracking or long-term zero retention.

Predator 8 vs Ranger 6, H6Xi and T6Xi

The Ranger 6 3-18×56 is the more traditional low-light hunting option, with a 4A-I reticle and larger 56mm objective. The H6Xi series is the bridge for hunters who want first focal plane holds. The T6Xi 5-30×56 is the clear choice when MIL reticles, locking turrets and greater adjustment matter more than carry weight.

Mounting and Setup Checklist

• Use 30mm rings and confirm that their height clears the 50mm objective without lifting the cheek weld unnecessarily.
• Set eye relief at the highest magnification from the most demanding shooting position.
• Level the rifle and reticle independently before tightening the rings to the ring maker’s torque specification.
• Focus the reticle with the diopter before using the side-focus control on a target.
• Zero with the exact hunting load, then set Zero Mode and record the underlying MOA correction for every ballistic ring.
• Confirm reticle holds and distance rings on target instead of relying on a generic cartridge label.
• Recheck ring fasteners and zero after the first range session and after a hard impact.

The scope rings guide covers ring height and mounting choices in more detail.

Who Should Buy the Steiner Predator 8?

Buy it if

• You want one premium hunting scope that covers close field use through supported longer shots.
• A clean rear focal plane reticle is preferable to a dense MIL tree.
• The rifle will be carried enough for a 9oz saving over a T6Xi to matter.
• You are prepared to validate the ballistic turret and E3 references with the actual load.

Choose another scope if

• You need first focal plane subtensions at every magnification.
• The rifle is primarily used for PRS, repeated dialing or spotting corrections in MILs.
• More than 40 MOA of total published elevation is important to the setup.
• The goal is the lightest possible mountain-rifle optic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Steiner Predator 8 3-24×50 first focal plane?

No. The 3-24×50 uses a second focal plane E3 reticle. The reticle stays the same visual size as magnification changes, so its hold references must be used at the magnification for which they were calibrated.

How much does the Predator 8 3-24×50 weigh?

Steiner lists 25.2oz, or about 714g. Rings and caps add to the installed weight.

Is the Predator 8 suitable for long-range shooting?

It has enough magnification and a ballistic turret for deliberate long shots, but it remains a hunting design. A T6Xi is better suited to repeated MIL corrections, competition and a heavy precision rifle.

Does the E3 reticle work with every cartridge?

No ballistic reticle is exact for every rifle and condition. Use a verified ballistic solution to establish what each reference means for the actual load, then confirm those distances on target.

Which Predator 8 model did I use?

The hands-on model in this review is the 3-24×50. The wider series has included other magnification and reticle configurations, so check the exact item rather than applying these dimensions to every Predator 8.

Final Verdict

The Steiner Predator 8 3-24×50 worked well on my Sako 85 Finnlight II because its design priorities matched the rifle. The image was crisp and high in contrast, the 3-24x range was genuinely versatile, the controls felt positive and the scope remained manageable enough to carry.

I would choose it for a premium hunting rifle whose owner wants more reach than a conventional 3-12x or 4-16x scope without accepting the mass and technical reticle of a tactical optic. I would choose the T6Xi instead for a precision rifle, and the Ranger 6 when a simpler 4A-I reticle and 56mm low-light format are the priority.

Continue with the T6Xi vs Predator 8 comparison, Ranger 6 field review and best hunting scopes guide.

Sources checked: Steiner Predator 8 3-24×50 | Steiner Predator 8 manual. Specifications, prices and availability can change by market.

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