Have you been searching for a top-end rifle that delivers exceptional performance? Look no further. The Benelli Lupo is here.
Benelli is known for its top-end shotguns — specifically those in waterfowl hunting platforms. Historically, what they haven’t been known for is big game hunting weapons. That’s changed, though. Recently, they introduced the all-new Benelli Lupo, and it’s a big game hunter’s dream.
Wes McConnell, a Whitetail Properties Land Specialist in Arkansas and Louisiana, has been hunting with the Lupo for the past year. Last season, he and his crew shot eight deer with it.
Luke Wallace, a Whitetail Properties Land Specialist in Nebraska, has some experience with the Lupo as well. He’s spent time on the range and even bagged a few coyotes with it.
Read on to hear some of the specs and technologies in this new center-fire hunting rifle. Plus, check out what Whitetail Properties Land Specialists — who have been testing these in the field — have to say about them.
Basics of the Benelli Lupo
The Benelli Lupo is a top-end, bolt-action rifle. It’s highly accurate, offers exceptional adjustability, delivers the ultimate durability, and feels great in the hand and when shouldered.
“It cycles really well, especially for those needing repeating rounds for coyotes, and other things like that,” Wallace said. “It offers quick transitions.”
This gun is crafted with a chassis-style construction type. Meaning, the steel receiver and barrel are attached to an aluminum frame. It has barrel lengths ranging from 22-24 inches. Overall lengths range from 42.125 inches to 44.125 inches. Most models weigh between 7.2 and 7.5 pounds. Right-handed models are available.
Additionally, the Lupo comes with certain accessories. Examples include a cheekpiece for comb height adjustments, spacers for length-of-pull adjustments, a picatinny rail, and more.
Accuracy of the Benelli Lupo
The Lupo comes with a free-floating barrel that’s hammer-forged. All specs and features considered, it culminates into an incredibly accurate rifle. In fact, it’s truly sub-MOA accurate — right out of the box. For those unfamiliar with the term, that means this rifle routinely groups well inside of 1 inch at 100 yards of shot distance.
“I'm always skeptical of companies that say a gun is a 1-inch rifle out of the box,” Wallace said. “Manufacturers sometimes claim things like that. But I'm kind of a gun snob, and a custom gun snob at that. But when I shot the Lupo last year, it was a true minute-of-angle, right-out-of-the box rifle. It holds good groups.”
Adjustability and Versatility of the Benelli Lupo
The Lupo offers a very versatile platform. Shooters can adjust comb height, length of pull, and more. Change the comb height to obtain that perfect cheek weld. Adjust the length of pull with spacers in the stock. With most versions of the Lupo, it can be changed from 13.8 to 14.75 inches.
“To me, what's awesome about the Lupo rifle is that, right out of the box, it's so customizable to fit any individual,” McConnell said. “I've never had a rifle that you could customize yourself without having to take it to a gunsmith.”
For those who choose to shoot suppressed, this gun also comes with a 5/8x24 threaded muzzle. It’s capped tight, though, and you don’t have to use a suppressor.
Durability of the Benelli Lupo
The Lupo is synonymous with durability. It also offers the BE.S.T. barrel treatment, which stands for Benelli Surface Treatment. That maximizes durability, and it’s due to the cryo-treated enhancement. This elevates accuracy, stability, and other benefits, as well. This coating on the barrel correlates with a 25-year warranty.
“It’s super corrosion-resistant,” Wallace said. “In the great state of Nebraska, we hunt in weather, so anything that we can do to make our rifles more durable in inclement weather, the better off we are.”
“Benelli is known for its excellence,” McConnell agreed. “So, this gun is a very good example of that excellence. I was surprised they would go into the bolt-action market, because they're so well renowned for their own semi-automatic actions. But the finish, the materials, and more — I haven't had any issues with them, and they look stunning.”
Ergonomics and Feel for the Benelli Lupo
The ergonomics and feel when the Lupo is in hand and shouldered, is very comfortable and smooth.
“It holds and feels like a Benelli shotgun,” Wallace said. “The way it pulls up feels like a Benelli shotgun, and I love the way a Benelli shotgun pulls up. It just feels comfortable to me. So, that rifle pulls up nice.”
This gun also sports lower recoil. Its recoil reduction technology is all thanks to the CombTech Cheek Piece and Progressive Comfort System.
Most don’t want to take follow-up shots. That said, this gun cycles incredibly smoothly, too. So, if you need a second or third shot, it racks in quickly and quietly.
The bolt is crafted with three large locking lugs. Furthermore, because the bolt and action are so quiet, it makes chambering a round in the stand or blind a lot better for staying off the radars of nearby game. With a 60-degree bolt throw, it shouldn’t hit a scope, either, and just feels good in the hand.
“It's a lot less than traditional rifles, where you almost crank it up right underneath the scope to pull it back,” Wallace said. “It's a shorter throw than most other rifles.”
Of course, this rifle sports a detachable magazine. Its double-stack magazine allows for four or five rounds, caliber depending.
Shouldering the Benelli Lupo
The Benelli Lupo is an excellent rifle that shoulders well. “The biggest advantage is that your target acquisition is a lot quicker,” McConnell said. “Know how that impacts you in the field. You're not taking shots for a long period of time, so you could handle a little bit of discomfort. But to me, the ergonomics of it really help with target acquisition. You can get on your animal a lot quicker.
“Whenever I hunt down here in the South, a lot of times, the deer shoot across the lane, and if you're not ready, you might miss your shot,” McConnell said. “It's happened to me on numerous occasions. That's why I think the Lupo is really great — it’s a customizable fit with this gun.”
There are different packages available with the Lupo. That said, Wallace’s came with bases on it. Plus, it sported the adjustable comb fitting and length of pull. He says you can custom fit it to yourself just by using the inserts included in the box.
Trigger Pull of the Benelli Lupo
The Lupo spots a single-stage trigger. It is adjustable from 2.2 to 4.4 pounds. The trigger guard is large, too. This allows for easier, more comfortable access to the trigger. Plus, the safety is ambidextrous, and tang mounted.
“The trigger pool, for a factory-built rifle, is second to none,” McConnell said. “I wish I had a Lupo in a youth model with a short, compact stock. I took my son hunting. He shot his first deer, and he was having to pull the trigger with two fingers because it's so hard. If he would’ve been able to use that Lupo, he would've easily been able to just squeeze the trigger with one finger.”
Using Suppressors with the Benelli Lupo
Use of suppressors continues to be a common trend in the hunting and shooting spaces. Those who fit that category should be pleased to know that the Lupo can come prepped and ready to shoot suppressed.
“The barrel is threaded, but you can barely tell because the cap they put on the threads is tight,” Wallace said. “I don't shoot one on my Lupo, but for the guys who shoot suppressed, that's an easy transition since that barrel is already threaded. You don't have to take it off, go get it threaded somewhere else, and then risk messing up an already great thing.”
Available Calibers in the Benelli Lupo
There are numerous calibers available in the Benelli Lupo. Some of these include the .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, .300 Win Mag, and more. Various Lupo models are offered in different calibers. Regardless, all are designed for accurate, long-range shooting.
“I have the .308, and I love it because I like the .300 size caliber,” McConnell said. “The ammo is key, but I've shot several different rounds through the gun, and they all hit good.
Check out these Benelli Lupo offerings, variations, and more:
● Lupo Cerakote Bolt-Action Rifles
● BE.S.T. Lupo Bolt-Action Rifles
● BE.S.T. Lupo Walnut Bolt-Action Rifle
Great Hunts with the Benelli Lupo
Both McConnell and Wallace have found success in the field using the Benelli Lupo. One of McConnell’s favorite hunts from last year was when fellow Whitetail Properties Land Specialist Zeke Barrett drove down and hunted with him.
“He's one of our agents in Northwest Arkansas, and we were hunting on my farm in South Arkansas,” McConnell said. “We were trying to get Zeke his first 10-point, and sure enough, one of the target deer stepped out.”
They were using Barrett's Lupo, and his was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Eventually, several mature bucks made their way out into the open. Barrett settled the crosshairs on the main-frame 10-pointer and took the 250-yard shot. It connected, and the deer barely went anywhere.
Another mature buck was in the open, and it didn’t know what was going on. So, McConnell and Barrett swapped spots. McConnell got down on the gun and settled in.
“I squeezed off on that buck, and we were able to double up with the Lupo,” McConnell said. “It was all on film, too. It was a lot of fun.”
Wallace has taken it coyote hunting, and it performed quite well for that, too.
“Last year, the number of coyotes we dumped on the farm did our deer population some good,” Wallace said. “The Lupo was the star of the show. I shoot a .308 out of my Lupo, and I mean it proved to be a killing machine.”
Does the Benelli Lupo sound like the deer or big game rifle for you? Check it out here.
