Benelli’s Lupo, Italian for wolf, is a reputation that fits this rifle completely. Modern, adaptable and undeniably deadly in the appropriate fingers, the Lupo is Benelli’s first foray into bolt-action rifles and has been round now for a couple of years. Like its shotguns, the Lupo showcases the corporate’s knack for mixing fashionable engineering with refined aesthetics. My time with the .243 Win mannequin proved it’s a predator of the very best order, whether or not you’re chasing whitetails within the woods or punching paper on the vary.
From the second you decide it up, the Lupo feels completely different—in a great way. The rifle balances completely, due to its light-weight aluminum chassis, which retains the barrel free-floated and rock-solid for accuracy. In contrast to most chassis rifles that appear to be they belong in a sci-fi film, the Lupo manages to include the advantages of recent design with out shedding its conventional searching attraction. At simply over 7 kilos unloaded, it’s simple to hold all day with out fatigue, and the bolt’s buttery-smooth, 60-degree throw makes chambering rounds a breeze.
Accuracy Meets Adaptability
Benelli didn’t simply construct a rifle; they constructed a rifle that matches. The ComfortTech3 inventory is a standout function, providing an adjustable size of pull, drop, solid and even set off attain. Irrespective of your dimension or taking pictures fashion, you possibly can dial within the match. Pair that with the Progressive Consolation recoil-reduction system and the CombTech cheek pad, and also you’ve bought a rifle that’s as comfy to shoot as it’s lethal correct. Recoil from the .243 Win was minimal—barely noticeable, even after an prolonged session on the vary, although .243 isn’t a really punishing caliber to shoot in any configuration.
Talking of accuracy, the Lupo doesn’t disappoint. Out of the field, it comes with a sub-MOA three-shot group at 100 yards assure and as our fast site-in session would later show it delivered. The rifle handles superbly off taking pictures sticks or resting on the sill of a taking pictures home, in addition to in kneeling and standing positions, making dependable hits on targets out to 100 yards. I’m positive it’s going to ship a lot farther as properly, however that’s as far I personally examined it. Whether or not you’re searching deer in a stand or coyotes on the transfer, the .243 Win. chambering is flexible and completely fitted to these duties. For individuals who desire heavier calibers, Benelli additionally affords the Lupo in .270 Win, .30-06, and .300 Win Magazine, together with short-action choices like 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win. Extra chamberings at the moment are provided in 6 mm Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem. Magazine., .223 Rem and 7mm PRC.
Sensible Design for Hunters
Whereas the Lupo’s accuracy steals the highlight, its sensible options are what make it a real hunter’s rifle. The AirTouch checkering on the inventory and forend gives a safe grip, even in moist situations, whereas the angled wrist naturally positions your hand for a constant maintain. The removable field journal locks in securely however can be topped off by means of the ejection port, providing the perfect of each worlds. The ambidextrous security is intuitive, sitting proper the place your thumb expects it to be, and the set off—adjustable from 2.2 to 4.4 kilos, although I didn’t mess with it apart from to softly squeeze it when firing—was crisp and predictable, breaking cleanly each time.
I had the chance to hunt with the Lupo at East Fork Lodge in Missouri a few years in the past, and previous to the hunt, our group of hunters, joined by Tim Joseph, the Vice President, Model Advertising at Benelli USA, gathered on the vary to test the zero on our weapons and put some photographs on paper. Everybody was dialed in and whereas I didn’t bust out the measuring tape on the time, all the rifles grouped properly regardless of our various levels of marksmanship and gave the impression to be proper in or on the border of Benelli’s sub-MOA three-shot assure. We have been taking pictures from a bench relaxation in an underground vary at East Fork so the environmental elements have been fairly managed. On the time we have been utilizing DRT hundreds because the house owners of East Fork additionally personal Dynamic Analysis Applied sciences.
Regardless of searching some beautiful northern Missouri land, prime for large whitetail bucks, and hitting opening week, the climate was unusually windy the primary day and heat the subsequent two. I noticed two first rate 8-pointers, one which was cruising too far off by means of the woods and one I used to be significantly contemplating, however knew it wasn’t what you come to northern Missouri to shoot. Because of this, I went residence empty handed on that journey. Tim, nonetheless, scored on a beautiful wide- and heavy-racked 10-point that was a great, consultant buck of what may be taken within the area. As I recall, Tim’s shot with the Lupo and the DRT ammunition, made it so no follow-up shot or monitoring was wanted.
The next season, I used to be lucky to get one other Lupo in .243 in my fingers and take it to household property within the mountains of Virginia the place I used to be in a position to shoot a pair does utilizing Winchester ammunition. Fairly merely, the Lupo is a pleasure to hold and to shoot. At 7.2 kilos, it’s not an extremely “light-weight” rifle, however it’s removed from heavy as properly. When humping it up and down hills, the burden of the gun hanging over your shoulder is negligible.
One for the Woods
The Benelli Lupo is a rifle that feels nearly as good because it shoots and with a couple of years of gross sales, use and refinements underneath their belt, the corporate has one heck of a rifle hunters can rely upon when that one shot actually counts. Light-weight, correct, and designed with hunters in thoughts, it’s a game-changer within the bolt-action market. The .243 Win mannequin is a dream for deer and predator hunters, however with a number of calibers to select from, there’s a Lupo for each hunt. With a threaded barrel, it will probably additionally simply settle for a suppressor for when searching coyotes or hogs, making it as quiet as it’s lethal. Benelli took its time with this one, and it exhibits. If you happen to’re out there for a bolt-action rifle that blends fashionable innovation with timeless design, the Lupo deserves a spot on the prime of your record. In any case, each hunter wants a great wolf of their pack.
Specs
Mannequin: Benelli Lupo (#15002)
Caliber: .243
Motion: Bolt-action
Barrel: matte, blued with 1 in 9-in. twist, threaded 5/8×24, free-floating, Crio handled
Receiver: Chassis-style permit receiver, matte, blued end
Inventory: ComfortTech3 (now solely obtainable in a granite moss shade, however older matte black fashions can nonetheless be discovered), with Progressive Consolation recoil discount
Barrel Size: 22 in.
General Size: 42.125 in.
Weight: 7.2 lbs.
MSRP: $1,699
The place To Purchase
Take a look at Ammo To Go, the ammunition retail sponsor of TTAG gun critiques, for your whole ammunition wants.
Product and gun critiques are carried out independently and product mentions made based mostly on the standard of the product and worth of curiosity to gun house owners. Nevertheless, once you purchase by means of hyperlinks on our web site, we might earn a fee to assist assist the prices of working the positioning and protecting it free for our guests.
