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/

Checkout Ebay, may be able to get a nice used one or like new....or new in box....for around $600....vx-iii, 4.5-14x40 or 50mm. 18x is a bit big IMO, some would even say 14x is too much but I dig it.

look around I think you can find a 50mm...

I picked up a nice vx-iii 4.5-14x50mm LR(30mm tube)with the B&C reticle off ebay for about $600.

Nothing wrong with Leupold scopes at all. The only problem with the higher magnification scopes would be up close shots. Unless you are planning on shooting longer ranges than 300-400 yards, I would consider a lesser magnification. If you plan on shooting farther than that, I would get a bdc scope. You might want to look into Nikon scopes. I have 3 Nikons and 1 Leupold and consider them the same quality. I wish scopes and rifles were the same as bows, and you could shoot them all before you decide. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

Edit- If you go with a Leupold, don't buy a used one from anyone you don't know. Leupold has put out a warning on counterfeit scopes.

IMO, 18X is way overpowered. Your FOV will be reduced and it will be harder to hold steady (wobbles will be magnified). For $600 there are many great scopes available that rival or exceed Leuppy glass. Don't get me wrong, I like Leuppy's. I just think several others are a better value and perform equally good or better. Check out the new Bushnell Elite 6500's, new Nikon Monarch's or Zeiss Conquests with the Rapid Z reticles.

In my opinion, unless I am planning to do a lot of solidrest shooting at smallish stuff a heck of a long ways out, 18X is way over what I'd useneed for hunting medium game such as deer.I don't do prairie dogs so maybe that high "X" is what is needed. The highest "X" I have is a 3.5x12 Swarovski and I cannot recall ever cranking it up that past maybe 10. Every shot a game, other than two shots, overthe past 40+ years has been under 400 yards. For me about 6X to 8X is plenty for out to 300 +/- or so. Most of the time I am set on 3X to 4X ... something in that range because most of my hunting is done where a 150 yard shot is a long one.usually under 100 is more like it. I did take a 450 +/- poke at a badger and missed , and dropped a coyote yeaars ago at about 425 ... on the second shot.Both with a 30.06 BBR and a 3x9-50mm Leupold Vari-X III. Nothing wrong with Leupold scopes. I have 2 Vari-XIII's and like them both.

I also failed to mention that the exit pupil of the intended scope would likely be a problem in low light conditions. Anything above an 8 X with a 40 mm bell may be problematic (that puts your EP AT 5 which is about all a normal eye can use. Below 5 and that's when potential issues arise. At 18 X you're at 2.2 EP). You also have parallax concerns once you get over about 10 X. Again, I'd say 9-10 X at the top range is about perfect...assuming you have decent glass.

I may just get the 14x VX-III then, that way I can get a 50mm. I know at basspro looking at the 6x it really didn't look like it distorted things at 25 yards or so. Ihunt east TN for the most part and most shots are where I can get 50-150 yards, however I've passed some shots at 3-400 yards over some plots and farmland I hunt due to the limitations of my .35 Marlin and 1895Gso I'm wanting to have a long range thumper. I canlive very easily with that 14x in the VX-III if it would be a better choice. I wish I could afford the VX-L or a Swarovski but maybe another day. And since I have abunch of rewards points I'll be purchasing my scope at basspro.

Good choice HighSierra.

I'm quite certain the VX-L utilizes the same glass/quality as the vx-iii, all you're gaining is a lower set up height, which may be nice on 50mm, though even 50mm are fine, I think 56mm then it makes a big advantage, though I'm just coming around to 50mm, let alone 56mm. Still having a hard time with that odd shape too, though I guess they come with a scope cover for them, I'm just curious if they'll stay around for years to come, though the marketing has been quite strong, so has the amount of people buying them, so I think they may stick around.

4.5-14x50 VX-III should do a great job for ya!

Last summer I finally accepted the fact that my A Bolt 25-06 is a hunting rifle and is never going to be a long range target rifle. In hunting conditions, out to as far as I can confidently shoot (350-400) 6x is all the magnification I need. I put on an IOR-Valdada 6x42 tactical. With the IOR Weaver style base and rings-$535. It is a great scope for the money and I don't feel handicapped in the least with fixed 6x holding on a woodchuck at 400.