jester3006
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Hi, just curious if anyone has handled one of these rifles? Also if anyone has any range reviews yet?
Benelli Lupo
- Thread starter jester3006
- Start date
I dunno if it's going to be a big seller here at $2000.
Not sure the whole 2 piece stock with aluminum middle/lower makes a whole lot of sense when they cut corners everywhere else on the rifle? Molded in plastic swivel holes on a $2000 rifle is not exactly appealing...a $400 Rem 783 already has that sweet feature lol.
The barreled action seems to "borrow" a whole bunch of features from the lowly Winchester XPR, 60 degree throw with a separate captured bolt handle, Savage style barrel nut (also something I never want to see on a $2000 rifle), recoil lug in the stock and not the receiver or washer type lug, all these are cost cutting design features, not improvements.
I think they wanted it to look like the R1, which it sort of does I guess, but the lines are messy, and the design features focus on 'cheap to manufacture" and I don't see a $2000 rifle there. That price range can get you something much much nicer, and accuracy is not really a selling feature these days... everything shoots good, even $400 rifles.
Not sure the whole 2 piece stock with aluminum middle/lower makes a whole lot of sense when they cut corners everywhere else on the rifle? Molded in plastic swivel holes on a $2000 rifle is not exactly appealing...a $400 Rem 783 already has that sweet feature lol.
The barreled action seems to "borrow" a whole bunch of features from the lowly Winchester XPR, 60 degree throw with a separate captured bolt handle, Savage style barrel nut (also something I never want to see on a $2000 rifle), recoil lug in the stock and not the receiver or washer type lug, all these are cost cutting design features, not improvements.
I think they wanted it to look like the R1, which it sort of does I guess, but the lines are messy, and the design features focus on 'cheap to manufacture" and I don't see a $2000 rifle there. That price range can get you something much much nicer, and accuracy is not really a selling feature these days... everything shoots good, even $400 rifles.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
This review ain't bad, but the Lupo don't thrill me none.
https://www.petersenshunting.com/editorial/review-benelli-lupo-boltaction-rifle/375390
https://www.petersenshunting.com/editorial/review-benelli-lupo-boltaction-rifle/375390
My buddy just picked one up, I've held it a few times. Surprisingly nice. Swings like a shotgun, very well balanced. Magazine is very good. Its full of plastic, aluminum and steel. Not to everyones taste but I think its cool and very well built. Not your granddaddy's rifle for sure. The recoil reduction system is where the $$$ is. It works as advertised. I have a couple R1 / Argos that have the same feature and it seriously reduces felt recoil. 30-06 becomes .243 like. Will post a range review later next week. Cheers.
jester3006
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I really like the R1, so waiting to see how these stack up. I do agree the price is pretty steep.
So my buddy (who just acquired his Lupo) and I spent some time at the range last Wednesday. He was breaking in the Lupo, and I was playing with my Benello Argo E Pro. Two really cool looking and functioning rifles.
I had the chance to get behind the Lupo and put some rounds downrange. Here are my first impressions
> Much higher quality 'feel' than I thought it would have. The ergonomics are excellent.
> Very 'pointable'...the high hand pocket on the grip gives it a semi-pistol grip feel while still maintaining the function of a traditional stock. A medium thickness barrel creates a lot of forward stability. This isn't necessarily the kind of rifle that you'd do a lot of offhand shooting with, but it feels like it would be excellent at that task.
> Benelli's shotgun ergnomics and build quality really are on display with this rifle.
> The magazine is excellent. Easy to feed, flush, locks in solid but drops out easily.
> The recoil reduction system works as advertised. Tames the 30-06 nicely.
> Bolt is really cool - Its cut out to allow easier feeding and an extra round capacity in the magazine, and to shave weight. Its not as slick as some, but its not meant to be glassy smooth.
> about 50 rounds fired. No failures of any type
> Accuracy - for the first time out using a freshly mounted low end (Burris 3-9 e1 illuminated) optic, the average group size was 1 1/2 inch @ 100m. This from a sand bag rest on a bench that was less than perfectly stable. We were also using cheap Remington low recoil Ammo. I have no doubt that once we find the ammo she likes, and we put a decent optic on it, this rifle will easily shoot sub MOA all day long. I was impressed, and can't wait to see how it shoots different ammo types (and with different glass if I can get my buddy to spend the $$)
> Trigger - It is excellent. Breaks beautifully, with a tiny but of over travel. Exactly what you'd expect from a rifle in this price range.
> Safety - Excellent as well. big, tang slider, easy to find and use, gloves or not. Naturally positioned high tang exactly where your thumb resides.
> And of course you can adjust the stock a zillion different ways to get yourself a custom fit.
So, is it worth the extra $?? Well, that's totally subjective. You could hit the same target with a $500 savage. Personally, I like cool rifles with unique (and useful) features so I consider this a winner. My buddy sold his Sako 85 to get this and it was a good call as far as I'm concerned. If I'm looking for a 30-06 bolt, this would be on the top of the list.
Cheers!
I had the chance to get behind the Lupo and put some rounds downrange. Here are my first impressions
> Much higher quality 'feel' than I thought it would have. The ergonomics are excellent.
> Very 'pointable'...the high hand pocket on the grip gives it a semi-pistol grip feel while still maintaining the function of a traditional stock. A medium thickness barrel creates a lot of forward stability. This isn't necessarily the kind of rifle that you'd do a lot of offhand shooting with, but it feels like it would be excellent at that task.
> Benelli's shotgun ergnomics and build quality really are on display with this rifle.
> The magazine is excellent. Easy to feed, flush, locks in solid but drops out easily.
> The recoil reduction system works as advertised. Tames the 30-06 nicely.
> Bolt is really cool - Its cut out to allow easier feeding and an extra round capacity in the magazine, and to shave weight. Its not as slick as some, but its not meant to be glassy smooth.
> about 50 rounds fired. No failures of any type
> Accuracy - for the first time out using a freshly mounted low end (Burris 3-9 e1 illuminated) optic, the average group size was 1 1/2 inch @ 100m. This from a sand bag rest on a bench that was less than perfectly stable. We were also using cheap Remington low recoil Ammo. I have no doubt that once we find the ammo she likes, and we put a decent optic on it, this rifle will easily shoot sub MOA all day long. I was impressed, and can't wait to see how it shoots different ammo types (and with different glass if I can get my buddy to spend the $$)
> Trigger - It is excellent. Breaks beautifully, with a tiny but of over travel. Exactly what you'd expect from a rifle in this price range.
> Safety - Excellent as well. big, tang slider, easy to find and use, gloves or not. Naturally positioned high tang exactly where your thumb resides.
> And of course you can adjust the stock a zillion different ways to get yourself a custom fit.
So, is it worth the extra $?? Well, that's totally subjective. You could hit the same target with a $500 savage. Personally, I like cool rifles with unique (and useful) features so I consider this a winner. My buddy sold his Sako 85 to get this and it was a good call as far as I'm concerned. If I'm looking for a 30-06 bolt, this would be on the top of the list.
Cheers!
jester3006
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I handled one today at Cabelas. I liked the way it shouldered and feel of the stock. Of course I couldn’t check the trigger with the lock on. Thanks was not impressed with the bolt though. I was expecting smooth for a $1900 rifle. It felt like a $500 gun, not smooth at all. Nowhere comparable to my Tikka. Even if an accurate rifle, I’m not sure I’d want to spend that much on a rifle that isn’t butter smooth. Now, maybe others are better, but the one I handled didn’t impress me.
I read the the review, had issues with the following statement...."The Lupo combines traditional big-game rifle styling with some unique and modern twists". Looking at the pic, I couldn't see anything traditional about it. Two-piece stocks, aluminum and plastic do not belong on a traditionally-styled rifle. It may shoot well, have some incorporated ergonomics, but I guess I'm old-fashioned, I still like wood and steel. And the price seems rather inflated.
Add on to my review - Was back at the range last week with the Lupo for its second outing. Consistent 3 shot cloverleaf groups @ 100m. Touching. On the Zero. Very impressed, can't wait to get it out to 200 & 300. This is a super accurate rifle. Already tuned in sharper than my 6.5 Creedmoor Tikka T3x which is a sharp shooter. Cheers.
Well it ain't pretty...
It's got a bolt together bolt like a Ruger American, Savage Axis barrel nut, and I'm not sure how many pieces the stock comprises....4 or more? Most $2000 bolt action rifles usually have a 1 piece stock.
It's not going to be a big seller in North America for sure.
