IMO the thing to consider in scope selection is it' s ability to gather light. The best elk hunting is in the twilight times of dawn and dusk. A good scope can really help to pick up an aniumal in the timber in dim light. Optics are the only part of my hunting gear that I refuse to bargain shop on. Good optics, binoculars and scopes, are essential in the elk woods. My recommendation is buy the best scope you can afford and skimp somewhere else if you have to. I am strictly Leupold any more. They gather light really well and they are tough as nails. I shoot several big magnums and I' ve never had any problems with my scopes. Leupold offers a good price range from about $175 for a Vari-X I up to 650 or so for the VX-III series.

Good luck on your hunt