RE: Scope Quandary: Here I Go AGAIN!
Here's a thought for you. I think you are on the right track with power range and such. In additition, since you are considering the Swarovski, I would seriously look into the Leupold LPS. It is a 30mm tube (versus the American standard of 1 inch), this allows you to have a larger variation in max and min power. I would recommend the 2.5-10x45 sounds about perfect for what you are talking about. Price wise you are probably looking at $900ish.
If you are going to stick around that $400 range, I would pick out three scope, and go in, line them up, and find out which one your eyes like best. I like Nikon and Ziess. And of course the VX-III is good. 3-9 and 3.5-10 are probably the best "all around" scopes. For what you are talking, I would not even consider a fixed power for elk hunting. That's just me.