First, 35Whelan -- absolutely gorgeous pictures.
Second, StringTwelve -- Looks like you made your choice. No problems here, in fact the Leupold 4.5 x 14 is one of my favorites -- light weight, excellent eye relief, great optics -- a fine choice.
Unless you are hunting on horseback, with a guide, or your are in great physical shape, weight become a serious consideration in elk country.
My son carried a Winchester M70, 26" bbl, .300 Win Mag, complete with the Leup 4.5 x 14, harris bipod, sling, butt cuff w/9 cartridges for a little over 15 yrs hunting elk in the Montana Rockies. That rifle weighed over 10 lbs, scoped, full cartridge butt cuff, loaded magazine, sling, et al. Now, a macho teenager/young adult doesn't have any problem lugging that rig over multiple drainages at 6,000 to 8,000 feet, all day long, but ultimately the weight becomes a real problem.
A couple of years ago, that rifle became a burden. A Browning Titanium Mountain rifle in 300 Win Short Mag was it's replacement. Equipped with a 4.5 x 14 Leupold (Boone and Crocket reticle), loaded magazine, 9 round butt cuff, Harris bipod, and sling it weighs right at 8 lbs. Loaded with 168 gr Barnes Tipped TSX, and Reloader 19, it chronos 3,100 fps, and groups less than 2" at 200 yards. It is a fine "mountain rifle". Here's a picture of first blood.
Paul