Victrix went against AI in the first bolt-action BB contest back in 2018. Then, the Pugio, a short .308 with tactical flare, was the contender. Now it’s the Venus—a lightweight, purpose-built machine for the competitive scene.
It features a meticulously machined chassis system with M-Lok attachments up front, but could use more space. Arca attachment is built in and ready to take the appropriate bipod mount. While orange in color, it’s racy but might be the most minimalist of all the chassis and that’s not a bad thing. It feels light and maneuverable and while it doesn’t have the most adjustability in the butt, it is the slickest to operate with solid, easy-to-manipulate push-button/spring resistant hardware. It’s extremely well done.
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The action is classic Victrix, with extremely tight tolerances and a bulletproof feel. It’s solid, smooth and feels like it could never break. It features melonite coatings for free movement as well. It still maintains a significantly mechanical if not notchy feel, not in its travel but more in its bolt lift and close. I think of gated manual transmissions in older Italian sports cars. They feel a bit more restrictive, although function is excellent.
The trigger on the Venus is otherworldly and none of us had ever felt anything like it. It’s more like a go-lever than a trigger. The muzzle brake is amazing on the Venus, and although it’s chambered in 6mm Creedmoor, the rifle had far less movement than any other rifle, even with no additional weights. This lightweight Italian stallion didn’t move under recoil. It simply “impulsed.” David stated “The thing that was so surprising was there was no recoil—not a little. The rifle didn’t move under recoil.” Adding weight to the Venus could very well make recoil nonexistent under fire, but the (lack of) modularity capability may be what’s keeping it from greatness.
