Just because it's a varmint bullets doesn't mean it shouldn't work like a big game hunting bullet. That is penetrate, get to the vitals, then explode (this part not like the big game bullet you want that to expand and not explode) and do the job. From my experience with the V-MAX on the larger critters such as the coyote it didn't penetrate enough or exploded too early. Coyotes are a tenacious critter for sure. As to the head shots, well you don't always have that opportunity.