I don't know what others will say, but I never, EVER take a headon shot. It's too much of a crap shoot and gains you no advantage. Some guys think a HO is justified if they have the better guns, but even then it's still a crap shoot.
On the other hand, I force headons all the time, because it's a good way to gain seperation after I blow by, especially if I know the target can out turn me. But I won't take a shot - instead I'll evade with a roll, a dip, an opposite bank, whatever seems the best >LO G< evasive.
On the other hand, if I think I can out turn the enme, I'll begin a reversal - a loop, flat turn, whatever - a split second before the enemy goes by, his guns blazing at empty air. Now I've got the jump on a turn fight because he held his straight course trying to shoot me. If he has more E, so be it.
As to the jerk ragging you on Ch1, this constantly amazes me, cuz you're absolutely right. It takes two to HO. I practically never get HO'd cuz I never try to take the shot. Anyone who screams "HO dweeb" is just showing themselves to be bigger dweebs, because HO's are totally avoidable.