Cabela's is also having a sale on the VX-IIIs. I have at least one $20-off code if it'd help, too.
I have used a VX-II and a Burris Fullfield-II on my bolt rifle, both 3-9x40. I have taken game with both - close to 250 with the Burris, I almost went for over 300 this year with the Leupold but held off when I decided my rest wasn't satisfactory. I honestly think the clarity/brightness is about the same, and I find them sufficiently bright to take shots even a little before or after legal light - if I can pick out my target in the first place with eyes or binos in that light. I'm inclined to say you get a bit more for your money with the Burris (considerably cheaper with a ballistic plex reticle versus the standard Leupold duplex). That said, I got the Leupold because my reticle seemed loose in the Burris (couldn't crank it far enough left to zero this last time). However, the Burris was my first scope, and has some ugly battle scars to prove it, so any deficiency is likely an operator issue (I've learned a bit more about scope care since). Lucky me though, Burris said send it on in, the Forever Warranty means what it says and it's no matter that it's close to five years old and I have nothing but the box. Can't argue with that.
In any case, I think both are rated for magnums, and I'd recommend either in the $300-range.
As a final heads-up, one of the big optics sellers - I think it was Natchez if I remember correctly - sells cosmetic blemish scopes that are still supposed to be functionally perfect and backed with the factory warranty. Might be worth looking into to save a few bucks.