I have a Leupold Vari-XIII 3.5-10 and a Bushnell 4200 2.5-10. The Leupold is lighter and shorter. In every other respect, the Bushnell is better. It is brighter and clearer. I have compared them side by side, and I am able to identify targets farther away and see them in poorer light with Bushnell. It also has a wider field of view, more windage and elevation adjustment, finger adjustable windage and elevation, and more range of magnification. Plus the power knob is much, much easier to turn. Hands down IMHO the Bushnell is a better scope. As kind of a bonus, the Bushnell is cheaper. [url]www.natchezss.com[/url] has a sale on 4200s right now (under $300); [url]www.swfa.com[/url] also has good prices.
I'd get the 4-16 over the 6-24. The field of view is pretty narrow with the bigger scope, and you lose a lot of windage and elevation adjustment range. 16x seems like plenty of magnification.
My 4200 has been sitting on a magnum rifle for a few years now, and has had no problems with the recoil. Of course, neither has my Leupold. Both have great warranties.