Reed
One thing you might try is to make a conscious effort NOT to look at the mover after you fire the shot. Try to stay focused on the front sight, continuning to focus on the front after the shot.

As most of you know I took a Smith & Wesson 629 4" 44 Magnum to Africa with me. Ammo taken was some 320grain Garrett Hammer Heads, some 270 Speer Gold Dot Soft Points and some Speer Shot Shells. I did have 6 180grain loads for "town" use. I had no trouble getting the 44 through SA or Zim custome. I wore the revolver all the time, concealed while in SA for 2 days and in the open in a De Santis crossdraw holster while hunting in Zim. I did notice several villagers and some if the people in the small town type areas we visited in the OMAY look at the revolver but no one seemed "alarmed" by it. I shot one snake and right after that encountered an anti poaching patrol, complete with AK-47's. When they drove up I had the 44 in one hand and the snake in another. They were very friendly and never asked about the revolver. I also used the 44 for a couple of finishing shots.
I fired one of the Garret loads into the head of the cow buff. It was recovered down in the neck, very slightly deformed.I do not doubt that it would shoot into the brain of a buff from any angle, with the possible exception of a bad angle first hitting the jawbone or maybe several teeth.
I also shot a Garrett into the brain of a cow elephant from 8 yards. [One I had killed with the 450 No2]. The bullet penetrated through the skull and into the brain. Wayne said that we might have to try a side brain shot with the 44 on an elephant cow next time. I will try a frontal brain shot on a dead cow next time too and see if it will make it to the brain. I also used the 44 for a little fishing.
There seem to be only 2 schools of thought when it comes to pistols on a hunting trip, those that do not see the need and those like me that will ALWAYS have one if it is legal. I enjoyed having my 44 in Africa, and to be truthful I just feel better having a powerful handgun anytime I am in the "woods or bush". I consider it one of my hunting tools just like bino's, knife, compass, etc.

450,

Interesting story.

I tend to LOGICALLY fall into the group that sees no real need to carry a sidearm when hunting with a longarm but I realistically fall into YOUR group regarding my upcoming Wyoming elk trip.

The pistol will be exactly the same although I'll probably be loaded with 300g Cast Performance loads. So far I've been doing as much practice as possible with reduced 44 Special loads and while it's quite effective on falling plates and other stationary targets I find myself dipping on a moving backer (I practice at the same course where they shoot the Bianchi Cup). Much of that is probably precious little practice in double action mode so I will simply keep practicing to try and solve that problem.

Lastly, I may carry it along on some of my normal hunting this fall just for grins. I know my Grandfather used to do so with a 357 and I plan to as well going forward.

Thanks again for the story.

Reed