For more than three months, we put the Schmidt & Bender 3-18x42 Meta with reticle in the first focal plane to intensive hunting use on, especially during night hunts in combination with clip-on attachments, and at the range, extending into long-range shooting. The goal was clear: does this compact hunting-sport hybrid riflescope deliver what the name Schmidt & Bender and its proximity to the PM-II family promise? The answer in short: the 3-18x42 Meta is positioned as an extremely versatile optic that combines hunting performance with the precision of a professional long-range scope.
Concept and key technical specs of the Schmidt & Bender 3-18x42 Meta riflescope
The 3-18x42 Meta was designed as a true hybrid riflescope, intended to excel in both everyday hunting and in sporting precision shooting. The magnification range of 3x to 18x covers an enormously wide range of applications: from quick shots at medium distances to precise shots at long ranges. The optic has a 30-mm main tube and a 42-mm objective lens, which represents a very good compromise between light output and compact design. The light transmission is around 92 per cent and the scope is manufactured 100 per cent in Germany. The housing is made of high-quality aluminum and gives the impression of a professional tool built for tough applications from the moment you touch it.
The positioning of the Meta within the Schmidt & Bender family is particularly interesting: it shares its optical and mechanical genetics with the PM and CM series, utilises a 6x zoom factor and relies on a repeatable, precise mechanism with steel-on-steel components. At the same time, it is significantly more compact and lighter than a classic PM II and therefore just as harmonious on a hunting rifle in the hunting ground as on a modern precision rifle or a semi-automatic action.
The optical performance of the S&B 3-18x42 Meta and the larger eyebox in practice
The high optical quality is noticeable from the very first glance through the Meta. The image is bright, high-contrast and colour-neutral across the entire magnification range. There is no distracting edge blurring at either 3x or 18x magnification and the image remains stable and clean.
The generous, "forgiving" eyebox is a major advantage in everyday hunting and sport activities. The shooter finds the reticle quickly without having to position the head with millimetric precision. This makes aiming considerably easier, especially in dynamic situations or in unfamiliar shooting positions. Dark shading at the edge of the field of view practically did not occur in the test, as long as a normal, practical aiming position was adopted.
In addition, eye relief remains consistent over the entire magnification range, which is particularly advantageous for centerfire guns. In the test, the Meta was used on a classic bolt-action rifle such as the CZ 500 Safari Magnum – here too, the eye relief proved to be generously dimensioned and absolutely practical for high-recoil cartridges.
Schmidt & Bender 3-18x42 Meta: operation, illumination and parallax
The operating concept of the 3-18x42 Meta follows a clear, practice-orientated approach. The reticle illumination is elegantly integrated into the parallax wheel. This keeps controls uncluttered and the shooter can adjust parallax and illumination intuitively without having to search for an additional knob.
Illumination can be finely adjusted from very weak night settings to daylight settings. In night-time use, precise, restrained illumination was possible without outshining the image; during the day, sufficiently bright settings were available to make the reticle stand out clearly even in front of dark targets. The parallax adjustment works cleanly and intuitively, which is particularly important at longer distances and in combination with clip-ons.
Night vision and thermal imaging capability of the Schmidt & Bender 3-18x42 Meta 1. BE
Today, a modern all-rounder must harmonise with night vision and thermal imaging clip-ons. This is exactly what we tested intensively with the 3-18x42 Meta. We used the Nocpix MATE H38R and the Thunder TQ35 3.0 thermal imaging clip-ons from HIKMICRO, among others. We have already tested both the Nocpix MATE H38R and the HIKMICRO Thunder TQ35 3.0 in detail here at all4hunters.com.
In both combos, the Meta delivered a very good, clear image – even at high magnifications of up to 18x. Where some riflescopes clearly lose sharpness and contrast when used with clip-ons, the image here remained clean and rich in detail. Target structures were easily recognisable even at greater distances, which is a decisive advantage when hunting wild boar at night or when hunting foxes at night.
Even when used with rimfire firearms, such as a CZ 457, the point of impact could be reliably tracked with the clip-on mounted. This shows that the 3-18x42 Meta not only offers a very good basis for the use of modern night vision and thermal imaging technology on centerfire hunting rifles, but also in more "civilian" setups.
Schmidt & Bender 3-18x42 Meta compared to the PM II from S&B
The PM-II series from Schmidt & Bender has been the reference in professional precision shooting for years. It is therefore exciting to see how close the 3-18x42 Meta comes to this league. In many areas, the similarities are greater than one would expect at first glance.
Mechanically, the Meta utilises the same steel-on-steel construction as the PM-II models. This ensures high repeat accuracy and durability, especially with intensive turret operation and frequent adjustments. Visually, too, the Meta is at a level that hardly differs from a PM II in practice, particularly in terms of sharpness, contrast and peripheral imaging.
However, there are deliberate differences. The MTC function ("More Tactile Clicks", tactile highlighting of certain turret positions), which is of interest for special tactical applications, is missing on the Meta – this is negligible for hunting use. On the other hand, the Meta is lighter and more compact, which is a real advantage when hunting, especially on long stalks or demanding mountain hunts. In addition, the Meta is positioned at a much more attractive price point and is therefore aimed at discerning hunters and sport shooters who want to use PM-II technology in a way that makes sense for hunting without entering the classic LE or military price range.
Workmanship, recoil resistance and endurance test of the 3-18x42 Meta from Schmidt & Bender
Schmidt & Bender has been synonymous with rugged, premium-class optical solutions for years. The 3-18x42 Meta is no exception. As part of the long-term test, the scope was used for several months on hunts, stalking trips, night hunts and intensively on the shooting range. Shocks, weather and repeated mounting and dismounting did not affect the point of impact.
The stress test is particularly impressive: the Meta is recoil-resistant up to calibers in the .50 BMG class. Tests were carried out with a .375 CheyTac action or a corresponding CheyTac configuration with a 315-grain bullet and a muzzle energy of around 10,500 joules. This energy belongs to the range of extreme long-range cartridges and puts every optic to the test. The Schmidt & Bender 3-18x42 Meta passed this test without failure or point of impact displacement.
The mechanism works precisely and with repeatable accuracy, the turrets lock into place with a defined and tactile click. The compact, robust housing, together with the high-quality materials, convey an impression of a design intended for years of intensive use.
S&B 3-18x42 Meta: long-range potential and shooting range experience
With the available turret configurations, the 3-18x42 Meta offers considerable long-range potential. Turrets with an adjustment range of 12 mrad (ST12 LT configuration) or 23 mrad (DT23 LT configuration), in conjunction with a suitable load and a suitable mount, enable realistic shooting distances of up to around 1,500 metres. This is also ensured by the two available reticles, i.e. either the SBX or SBX-S. At the Hanta Shooting Farm in Hungary, the riflescope was able to impressively demonstrate precisely this potential.
Adjustments are smooth, with clear clicks, and proved to be repeatable throughout the. Reset and adjustment tests revealed no significant deviations between the set and actual point of impact. This aspect is particularly important for long-range shooters who also want to use a riflescope in a hunting context.
The Meta was also convincing in hunting terms. In combination with ammunition from Hornady and a corresponding CZ rifle, a stag was shot cleanly and accurately. Even in difficult lighting conditions, the optics delivered a clear, high-contrast image that enabled a reliable shot to be fired.
Conclusion: Schmidt & Bender Meta 3-18x42 for hunting and sport shooting
After more than three months of intensive use, the Schmidt & Bender Meta 3-18x42 1st focal plane can be clearly categorized: it is a modern hybrid riflescope that transfers the optical and mechanical quality of the PM-II family into a more compact, hunting-orientated format. Optically, it impresses with high light transmission, brilliant image reproduction and a forgiving eyebox. Mechanically, it scores with precise steel-on-steel mechanics, high repeatable accuracy and impressive recoil resistance up to the range of extremely large calibers.
At the same time, the Meta is easy to handle, universally applicable and harmonises perfectly with modern night vision and thermal imaging clip-ons. If you are looking for an optic that cuts a fine figure on driven hunts and hide hunts as well as on the shooting range and at long range, the Schmidt & Bender Meta 3-18x42 is currently one of the most interesting all-round candidates in its class. With a price of €3,590 for the ST configuration and €3,740 for the DT configuration, the purchase costs are also in the upper class. However, in view of the outstanding appearance, top-quality workmanship and the many features, the prices are absolutely justified.
