I'm getting a Browning A-bolt stainless stalker in .300WSM in a couple months and I've been looking at scopes. I love the Leupolds and I trust them in the field. I can't afford to go much over $600 and this is well within my price range. I wish I could get a 50mm but oh well. I also really like having the 18x magnification, although not just necessary it's nice to me. are there any downsides to that magnification? This will be the first high dollar scope I've purchased as I've always carried Marlin leverguns and my biggest scope is a 4x fixed power.

http://leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-ii-riflescopes/vx-ii-6-18x40mm-adj-obj/