Hornady markets its Varmint Express 95-grain V-Max for varmints and predators. The V-Max is Hornady's polymer-tipped varmint bullet. In this load it has a G1 BC of .365 and leaves the muzzle at 3,300 fps. Hornady also loads a 100-grain ELD-VT in its V-Match line, and the choice between the two comes down to speed at the muzzle against wind at long range.

Compared with Hornady's V-Match 100-grain ELD-VT, the V-Max starts 100 fps faster, but the ELD-VT's higher G1 BC of .448 lets it catch up by 200 yards and pull ahead after that. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the V-Max about 21 inches sideways and the ELD-VT about 17. Drop is close: zeroed at 100 yards, the V-Max drops about 41 inches at 500 and the ELD-VT about 40. The V-Max gives something back for that extra drift. It kicks about 6 percent less in the same rifle.

Buy the V-Max if most of your shots come inside 300 yards, where the two loads stay close in wind and drop, and you want the lighter recoil. Pick the V-Match ELD-VT if you shoot out toward 500 yards, where the same wind moves it less. If you want a heavier bullet for paper and steel instead, Federal's American Eagle 120-grain OTM is a match load, but it kicks about 37 percent harder than the V-Max in the same rifle.