Benelli’s George Thompson gives us a quick tour of the Italian gunmaker’s first-ever bolt action rifle, the new LUPO chambered in .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag and .270 Winchester.
From their press release . . .
The Lupo is loaded with innovative features-including seven exclusive Benelli patents-adding up to a hunting rifle that handles beautifully and provides a truly customizable fit. It makes its debut in three of the most popular bolt-action calibers (.30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag., .270 Win.). The Lupo features a chassis-style construction built from an alloy lower receiver and fitted with a synthetic stock and forend. The stock incorporates Benelli‘s patented Progressive Comfort recoil-reducing system and Combtech cheek pad for comfortable shooting.
Accuracy. This 3-shot, sub-MOA rifle achieves repeatable, consistent accuracy thanks to a precision CRIO-treated and free-floating barrel, securely bedded (steel-to-steel) into the alloy chassis receiver. This accuracy is unleashed with a crisp and adjustable trigger mechanism.
An innovative barrel attachment system creates an unaltered chamber and perfect alignment on every gun. The rifle was subjected to rigorous military quality and safety testing while precision accuracy was assured by testing across a wide spectrum of ammunition.
Adjustability. In addition to great accuracy, the Benelli Lupo‘s design features modular adjustability to provide the perfect fit between shooter and rifle. The chassis-style configuration of a separate stock, receiver and forend allow the shooter to customize the Lupo to one of 12 drop and cast positions with the included shims. This is easily expandable to 36 postions by utilizing optional combs. Further fit adjustments can be made with included LOP spacers. Finger reach to the trigger is also adjustable with included spacers that can be placed between the receiver and the stock. Additional fit choices include two raised cheek pad styles and one optional length butt pad.
Recoil Reduction and Ergonomics. The Benelli Lupo tames recoil with a patented built-in Progressive Comfort system and a Combtech cheek pad. The double-stack box magazine is incredibly easy to load in or out of the gun. A two-position, tang-mounted safety offers ambidextrous manipulation. Airtouch Grip surfaces provide a safe and firm hold on the rifle. A threaded muzzle (5/8 x 24 thread) gives the option of adding a muzzle brake or suppressor. The short bolt throw quietly chambers and ejects rounds for quick and smooth follow-up shots.
Benelli continues its rich tradition of blending form, function and industry-leading innovation to provide shooters with high-quality firearms that shoot as well as they look. The Benelli Lupo combines precise accuracy, adjustability, superior ergonomics and recoil reduction to make users better shooters and successful hunters.
Benelli Lupo Bolt-Action Centerfire Rifle
Stock/Finish: Black synthetic/black. Trigger: Adjustable (2.2-4.4 lbs.). Barrel: Free-floating CRIO/threaded (5/8×24 threads). Capacity: 5+1. Length of Pull: Adjustable 13.8 – 14.75 inches. Warranty: 7 years.
MSRP: $1,699
Please make it in .308.
Not sure how much recoil reduction you’ll get with the .308, I myself really like 7mm-08, but I have a suspicion if they did .308 they may do a .243 & 6.5 creed less and that’s all.
I don’t know. I haven’t had a 30-06 since I had a Featherweight Model 70 back in the eighties. New gun, old caliber (although still hard to match for a lot of things) might be an interesting combo. Good handloads in 30-06 can take anything from woodchucks to Grizzly bears.
It’s a really good looking rifle.
It has a professional look about it. I’ll take one in 270 please.
Ability to adjust drop and cast on a rifle stock would be nice. I’ve got a 20 ga. Benelli M2 and really like having the option of making it fit ME instead of some mythical standardized human.
Having said that, Benelli is otherwise pretty high priced when you consider their designs are fairly inexpensive to produce.
I’ll take a good old 30-06 any day!!!
Just think—all of that for only $1,699. Pretty much stopped reading at “innovative.”
Since the price is at the bottom, you pretty much read the whole thing.
Side mounted scope to huh, haven’t seen that since my Steven’s savage model 325-a
The scope mounts are clearly at 12:00 on top of the receiver. I’m not sure which rifle you are looking at there, bud.
Does the safety have a bolt lock feature
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