Steiner 8786 H6Xi Black 3-18x50mm 30mm Tube, Illuminated Modern Hunter Reticle

The Steiner H6Xi 3-18x50mm riflescope brings serious glass to the modern hunter who refuses to compromise on glass quality or durability. Built on a 30mm tube with a robust first focal plane design, this scope stacks military-grade ruggedness against the kind of optical clarity that lets you make ethical shots in marginal light. The illuminated reticle—Steiner's Modern Hunter pattern—gives you a clean aiming point from dawn to dusk without the clutter that slows decision-making in the field.

The 3-18x magnification range is purpose-built for hunting: plenty of low-mag versatility for close-quarters woods work, enough top-end juice for distance shots past 300 yards, and enough field of view (25 feet at 100 yards on the wide end) that you won't spend your entire hunt zoomed in and tunnel-visioned. Side focus adjustment runs from 25 yards to infinity, letting you dial parallax out of the equation whether you're glassing at distance or setting up an ambush. The scope tracks in 0.1 mrad clicks, giving you precision dialing on both wind and elevation without the fiddly micro-adjustments that eat time in a hunt.

Steiner's nitrogen fill keeps internal fogging out of the equation across temperature swings from deep cold to heat, and the waterproof design means rain or river crossings won't kill your optic. The illuminated reticle runs on a CR2032 battery and lives on a rotary dial control—tactile, simple, no learning curve. At 28.1 ounces and 15.4 inches long, it doesn't bloat your rifle into a different gun entirely. This is an optic that hunts as hard as you do.

Key Features

• 3-18x magnification for close woods hunting through mid-range distance shots
• First focal plane design: reticle stays true regardless of zoom level
• Illuminated Modern Hunter reticle with rotary dial control
• 30mm tube accommodates high-end scope rings and maintains optical performance
• 0.1 mrad click value for precise windage and elevation adjustments
• Side focus parallax adjustment (25 yards to infinity)
• Nitrogen-filled and fully waterproof/fogproof construction
• Operates reliably from -13°F to +145°F

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 3-18x and higher magnification hunting scopes?

The 3-18x range is built for versatility across typical hunting scenarios. The 3x low end gives you a wide field of view and fast target acquisition in timber or close cover, while 18x provides enough magnification for shots past 300 yards without requiring a ton of optical volume. It's a sweet spot for hunters who move through varied terrain rather than sitting a single vantage point.

What does "first focal plane" mean for hunting?

In a first focal plane (FFP) scope, the reticle sits in front of the magnification lens, so the reticle scale (the measuring marks) stays proportionally accurate at any zoom level. That matters if you're using reticle hash marks to estimate distance or hold for wind—the numbers work the same whether you're at 3x or 18x. Second focal plane scopes require you to dial to a specific magnification for the reticle to be accurate.

Is this scope waterproof and how does it handle extreme temperatures?

Yes. The scope is nitrogen-filled and fully waterproof/fogproof, which means moisture won't seep into the optics even in rain or water crossings. It's rated to operate reliably from -13°F to +145°F, covering the temperature swings from winter hunts to August heat without fogging up or losing adjustment.

What battery does the illuminated reticle use?

The reticle is powered by a single CR2032 battery, controlled via a rotary dial on the turret. These are standard coin-cell batteries you'll find at any drugstore or hardware shop.