Available calibers: .50BMG (*match or mil spec chamber)
*You must reload or have customized loads to shoot the rifle offered with the match chamber.  Short throat,  and a tight chamber!
Bolt action, adjustable trigger, left hand available, no extra charge.  Integral scope rail, for Picatinny
and Weaver type rings.
Safety features: Drum safety.   Takedown pin interlock device. (Housing lock)
Estimated delivery time, about 45 days.  Time to deliver my rifle, almost 200 days.**
Retail price $2895.00  Price of  my rifle as reviewed had an introductory price of $2295.00***
For current price contact Bluegrass Armory,  go to http://bluegrassarmory.com for contact information.

This rifle comes with a 1 year warranty.

At the 2003 SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida I laid eyes on a Barrett M-99 and really liked that rifle.
 Trouble was, Barrett does not offer the M-99 in a LH action.  Then, somewhat later I came across
the Bluegrass Armory Viper while surfing online.  It is strikingly similar in appearance to the M-99,
at first glance.  Upon closer inspection though, we can find many differences, in appearance, it's
construction and mechanically.

The Viper is offered in a LH action for at no extra charge.  Bluegrass Armory has been manufacturing
firearm parts for other gun companies for sometime, but they are new on the scene when it comes to
entire rifles.  After careful consideration, I decided to place an order for a black Viper in LH action,
match chamber, 32" barrel, .50BMG caliber.

**The estimated time for delivery, 45 days, came and went, but no Viper.  Jeff Caudhill, the owner
of of Bluegrass, told me that he had 5 of his employees in the Reserves, and that they were called to
Iraq.  Time went by and my trepidation gradually increased.  Various problems seem to occur in the
manufacturing, the Aluminum stock for the rifle stocks was too soft and had to be replaced, the
magna fluxing was held up, the anodizing of the rifle stocks was delayed, then at the very last my
rifle failed the accuracy test, and  the barrel had to be replaced, then retested.  I want to stress this,
Jeff at Bluegrass always promptly returned my calls and emails in response to my many
queries about my rifle during this time.  Considering that the entire run of this batch of rifles was
affected by these delays, this says a lot about the attitude that Bluegrass Armory has toward the customer.
I was always treated very well.

***I paid $2295.00 & shipping for this rifle.  This was an introductory price, offered at the time I ordered
this rifle, as this rifle was very new on the scene and was still being introduced.  I do not personally know
anyone at Bluegrass and Bluegrass Armory was not aware that I intended to review their rifle and post my
findings.  This review is part and parcel of what the intention of goneballistic.info is all about.  

When I received my Viper, the first thing I noticed was the impressive packing job.  The rifle arrived in a
strong, heavy wall cardboard box, nestled securely in a  (polystyrene?) foam cutout.  Secure packing is
very important when shipping a rifle.
The rifle was shipped with the bolt out, and the bipod, (included, standard), detached from the rifle.
I attached the bipod and installed the bolt while my FFL handled other business.  It all seemed pretty
straight forward.  The bipod attaches to the rifle with one large threaded pin, this pin's head is knurled
for the fingers.
The butt stock has two retention pins. These pin's heads are also knurled. Once these pins are removed,
the butt of the rifle can then be removed.
The bolt is then inserted from behind, the locking lugs must properly lined up, facing the threaded hole for
the bolt  handle toward the ejection port.   After the bolt is slid forward, the bolt handle is screwed in and
the butt stock/pins replaced.  The trigger group housing is also secured to the rifle with two retention pins.
The trigger was set at about 4 1/2#.  It is crisp, with little take up and less overtravel. 

Overall I am very pleased with my Viper.  The quality is excellent.    The finish of my rifle is flat black,
and the finish seems of high quality and is evenly applied.  I found minor tool marks on the bolt, other
than that, the work was practically flawless.

Now, for the big question.  How well does the Viper shoot?

Well, I had good results.  I mounted a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56mm on this rifle.  The scope
rings are Ultra High Badger Max 50s.   A very high ring is needed for a 56mm objective to clear
the scope rail.  I have since found that the very best 30mm rings for the Viper is a set of
the Burris Extreme Extra High Rings.
Before we get to how it shot, I'd like to go over a few issues.  First, the owner's manual.  The
owner's manual is professionally printed, but very brief. 
Exploded drawing is now posted on   bluegrassarmory.com  
The bipod is very sturdy, the legs are  independently adjustable, the legs will fold and lock forward, or backward.
 But there is a small amount of pivot where the bipod cradles the rifle.   I believe this small amount of pivoting is
intentional, but I don't want it.  Nothing a little shimming won't cure. 
Also, there is no provision for fine tuning the level of the rifle, side to side. More room for improvement.
(OK, now I'm being picky)   Too picky.  I have found that the bipod really is great, works for me just fine.  
Last time out at the range I shot 5 groups at 685 yards.  The largest was 4", the smallest was 2 7/8".  
All were shot off that bipod.  
The muzzle brake of this rifle works well, but the recoil is heavier than my State Arms Rebel.
Small wonder, as there is almost 15 pounds difference in the weight between the Viper and the
Rebel.  I found the Viper a handful shooting off the bipod.  Myself, I prefer a rifle low to the bench.
The bipod is just a little high for shooting off the bench for me.  I got my best groups shooting
from a bullbag.   I have since started using a folding height adjustable range chair that I asked for and
received for my 10th anniversary.  The chairs provided at the range are crap, what a difference this
piece of equipment made in my shooting!  The bipod height should be just fine when shooting prone.  The bipod
 height was  just fine for me shooting prone and I'm sure it will adjust to any other shooter.
The muzzle brake on this rifle is Aluminum.  It will be interesting to see how well it holds up with
repeated use.  The user manual parts list shows that a steel brake is available.  I will monitor this brake closely.  
 I had to replace the Aluminum Brake at 224 rounds fired.  The gas was peening the inside rim of the exit hole
and there was gas cutting inside the brake.  I at first removed the peening with a reamer, but the gas cutting
of course got worse.  Jeff at Bluegrass immediately sent me a steel brake, free of charge, when I let him know
that i needed one.  Now I believe steel brakes are standard.

After I got the rifle on paper at 565 yards, my first group was a disappointing 1.75 MOA(aprox).
The more I shot the rifle, the smaller my groups got.  When I got a 5 shot group of about 5 1/4",
I  raised my elevation 12 clicks and I started shooting at 685 yards.  My first 3 at this range grouped
as shown below.  The range was near closing, my barrel was hot and the final 2 shots were flyers.
The ammo was handloaded, milsurp projectiles.  No special brass prep, no sorting.  OAL was 5.350".
Max OAL with the milsurp projectiles in my match chamber was 5.363", jammed to the lands.   As
mentioned at the top of this page, if you order the match chamber, the  ammo must be custom loaded
by somebody.  Otherwise, I would suggest the mil spec chamber.
 

.