Benelli released its first bolt-action rifle, called the Lupo (Italian for wolf). I was fortunate enough to hunt Africa last Summer with this rifle to give it a test drive and, the more that I used it, the more I was impressed by it. It's a little modern-looking for my taste but it is great rifle.
https://www.benelliusa.com/rifles/lupo-bolt-action-rifles![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/EUvljpv.jpg)
Gonna pass on one. Have the gut feeling that they'll end up like the Franchi Momentum . . . . dead on arrival.
Crypes, couldn't they make it any uglier ? Looks like a Remington 783 and a Ruger American had a head on collision and there were no survivors. No thanks. Lifes too short to hunt with a gun that ugly.
Looks like it has a lot of nice features and is nicely designed. The price point is the stickler here. It's doomed at that price.
I love my SBE II and My Montefeltros, but it’s a big I’ll pass on the Lupo !!
Will be as popular as the R1....so not at all.
1600 msrp? I'd rather take a fieldcraft, but I'm sure some benelli fans will buy it.
Gonna pass on one. Have the gut feeling that they'll end up like the Franchi Momentum . . . . dead on arrival.
Yep
Benelli’s going to find out selling bolt rifles is far different from selling shotguns. If I want to hunt with an ugly bolt action rifle (and sometimes I do) I can just grab the T/C Compass or Ruger American, that will do everything the ZLupo can do at a fraction of the price.
Will be as popular as the R1....so not at all.
1600 msrp? I'd rather take a fieldcraft, but I'm sure some benelli fans will buy it.
I have often wondered if anyone other than the most die hard Benelli fans ever looked at an R1 and said”That’s the rifle for me!”
Benelli released its first bolt-action rifle, called the Lupo (Italian for wolf). I was fortunate enough to hunt Africa last Summer with this rifle to give it a test drive and, the more that I used it, the more I was impressed by it. It's a little modern-looking for my taste but it is great rifle.
https://www.benelliusa.com/rifles/lupo-bolt-action-riflesNo comment on the rifle, just that I picked the wrong profession...
I just got through ordering one in every chambering that’s available ....
My God that's the ugliest rifle in history. Even a tc dimension wouldn't [bleep] it.
Must be an Italian thing?
As much as I think composite stocks are "soul less" I kinda like it. When it's available locally I'm going to check it out.
Big Benelli auto shotgun fan but not so much of a fan with their rifles so far.
I thought it was Beretta that made the MAKO... given they are all under one umbrella and why in the name of God would one try to compete with Sako & Tikka... Stupidity ?
If I remember correctly it was "Mato", made by Dakota and marketed by Beretta. RJ
Mato means "bear" in one of the Native American tongues; forget which; maybe Lakota.
Interesting, but as a practical matter I'd rather have a nice FN, older Sako, CZ 550, etc. All of them are heavier than a lot of us are willing to tote these days.
The new Benelli is pretty dang oogly, and priced in the same ballpark as the Mauser M12, which ain't.
I thought it was Beretta that made the MAKO... given they are all under one umbrella and why in the name of God would one try to compete with Sako & Tikka... Stupidity ?
Good question since Beretta owns Benelli and Sako. I bet it has a sako barrel(just a hunch).
It has a lot of innovations and they think outside the box. Unfortunately the MSRP will kick them in the nutz.
Mato means "bear" in one of the Native American tongues; forget which; maybe Lakota.
Interesting, but as a practical matter I'd rather have a nice FN, older Sako, CZ 550, etc. All of them are heavier than a lot of us are willing to tote these days.
The new Benelli is pretty dang oogly, and priced in the same ballpark as the Mauser M12, which ain't.
What makes the Mauser M12 any better? Honest question.
Huh.
Not as bad as I might have thought, reading the responses before looking at the rifle.
Mechanically, it looks to have a few innovative type features. Whether they result in a better hunting rifle? Dunno.
My first thought when I looked at the box magazine was, "Holy crap that's going to be over a hundred to buy extra mags!"
Mato means "bear" in one of the Native American tongues; forget which; maybe Lakota.
Interesting, but as a practical matter I'd rather have a nice FN, older Sako, CZ 550, etc. All of them are heavier than a lot of us are willing to tote these days.
The new Benelli is pretty dang oogly, and priced in the same ballpark as the Mauser M12, which ain't.
What makes the Mauser M12 any better? Honest question.
For one thing, it's not as oogly as a warthog's azz.
Here, see for yourself:
https://www.mauser.com/en/The M18 is a good solid rifle. The M12 is nicer. The M03 is very nice, and very expensive.
Prices in GB are all over the place, but EuroOptic has a couple for $900. The .300 WM is really nice.
Huh.
Not as bad as I might have thought, reading the responses before looking at the rifle.
Mechanically, it looks to have a few innovative type features. Whether they result in a better hunting rifle? Dunno.
My first thought when I looked at the box magazine was, "Holy crap that's going to be over a hundred to buy extra mags!"
Magazine boxes will be an eye opening experience for sure.
Mato means "bear" in one of the Native American tongues; forget which; maybe Lakota.
Interesting, but as a practical matter I'd rather have a nice FN, older Sako, CZ 550, etc. All of them are heavier than a lot of us are willing to tote these days.
The new Benelli is pretty dang oogly, and priced in the same ballpark as the Mauser M12, which ain't.
What makes the Mauser M12 any better? Honest question.
For one thing, it's not as oogly as a warthog's azz.
Here, see for yourself:
https://www.mauser.com/en/The M18 is a good solid rifle. The M12 is nicer. The M03 is very nice, and very expensive.
Prices in GB are all over the place, but EuroOptic has a couple for $900. The .300 WM is really nice.
Other then looks what makes it better?
The looks alone take the Lupo off the table for me. I suppose they felt they needed to make its appearance so "distinctive" to separate it from the crowd, but it's just bizzare to my eye. I see no wood options, and cartridge choice is limited to .30/06, .300 WM, and .270. Have to wait for some real reviews for hard data on its function.
The M12 and less expensive M18 reportedly have really excellent triggers and are good shooters. Check out the Fieldsports Channel episode on the M18 for an extended LR test.
Did you look at the Mauser site? The M12 is a modern rifle, but the quality is very evident. They also offer a manual-cocking option for those who like that. The stocks have attractive lines, and the wood options are nice.
Benelli makes good stuff, and probably the best auto shotgun action ever. Why they have to make so many of them so fuggin' ugly is a mystery. My son briefly owned a very nice 20ga that was really nice, so I know they can do it.
The looks alone take the Lupo off the table for me. I suppose they felt they needed to make its appearance so "distinctive" to separate it from the crowd, but it's just bizzare to my eye. I see no wood options, and cartridge choice is limited to .30/06, .300 WM, and .270. Have to wait for some real reviews for hard data on its function.
The M12 and less expensive M18 reportedly have really excellent triggers and are good shooters. Check out the Fieldsports Channel episode on the M18 for an extended LR test.
Did you look at the Mauser site? The M12 is a modern rifle, but the quality is very evident. They also offer a manual-cocking option for those who like that. The stocks have attractive lines, and the wood options are nice.
Benelli makes good stuff, and probably the best auto shotgun action ever. Why they have to make so many of them so fuggin' ugly is a mystery. My son briefly owned a very nice 20ga that was really nice, so I know they can do it.
I would have to shoot and handle both before I said something. The only thing I will say is it is innovative, the stock is definitely an out of the box design and the price tag is a killjoy.
Interesting, really like the stock adjustment features. Nothing better than shooting a rifle that fits.
Was thinking that maybe it would be chambered in 9.3x62, but not to be. I am all set in the 270, 30-06 and 300 dept.
Here's a bit more detail about that I liked about the rifle.
-For starters, the ergonomics were excellent-- controls were in all the right places. In a week's worth of hunting, I never had to think about anything other than making the shot, despite the rifle being relatively new for me.
-The recoil reduction feature in the stock actually works, my rifle was chambered in 30-06 and it recoiled more like a 7mm-08.
-I think we had eight rifles on the trip, all with Steiner H4Xi 3-12x56mm scopes. After 48 hours of road and air travel, every one of the rifles/scopes maintained their zeros from the U.S. That impressed me. All the rifles shot sub-MOA.
-The bolt body is relieved at the rear to allow the magazine to sit higher in the receiver, making the whole thing more compact. The shooter can load the DBM from the ejection port, just as one would an internal magazine; nice for adding ammo on the move when following-up an animal.
-We used Hornady Outfitter 180-grain GMX loads, these were absolute hammers. We shot everything from impala to roan, from 30 or so to 400 yards and every bullet recovered looked like it came out of an ad.
Like I said, not my up of tea in terms of appearance but the rifle really grew on me as I used it.
Here's a bit more detail about that I liked about the rifle.
-For starters, the ergonomics were excellent-- controls were in all the right places. In a week's worth of hunting, I never had to think about anything other than making the shot, despite the rifle being relatively new for me.
-The recoil reduction feature in the stock actually works, my rifle was chambered in 30-06 and it recoiled more like a 7mm-08.
-I think we had eight rifles on the trip, all with Steiner H4Xi 3-12x56mm scopes. After 48 hours of road and air travel, every one of the rifles/scopes maintained their zeros from the U.S. That impressed me. All the rifles shot sub-MOA.
-The bolt body is relieved at the rear to allow the magazine to sit higher in the receiver, making the whole thing more compact. The shooter can load the DBM from the ejection port, just as one would an internal magazine; nice for adding ammo on the move when following-up an animal.
-We used Hornady Outfitter 180-grain GMX loads, these were absolute hammers. We shot everything from impala to roan, from 30 or so to 400 yards and every bullet recovered looked like it came out of an ad.
Like I said, not my up of tea in terms of appearance but the rifle really grew on me as I used it.
Being a Benelli Slut I would like to try one out. That said I am not crazy about the R1, I like this design more then the R1.
That's an objective review. Thanks.
That's an objective review. Thanks.
Maybe. Depends on who paid for the hunt, including the gear. He doesn't say, so we don't know.
Not pickin', just being realistic. Matters not to me in any way what people buy or hunt with.
That's an objective review. Thanks.
Maybe. Depends on who paid for the hunt, including the gear. He doesn't say, so we don't know.
Not pickin', just being realistic. Matters not to me in any way what people buy or hunt with.
No secret: they paid for the hunt. Now, I’m not saying I can’t be bought, but it would take more than a plains game safari to get me to lie. Stone sheep? Maybe.
I’m okay with the looks. It’s the barrel length and twist that bums me out. Then the price tag is the plane crash.
That's an objective review. Thanks.
Maybe. Depends on who paid for the hunt, including the gear. He doesn't say, so we don't know.
Not pickin', just being realistic. Matters not to me in any way what people buy or hunt with.
No secret: they paid for the hunt. Now, I’m not saying I can’t be bought, but it would take more than a plains game safari to get me to lie. Stone sheep? Maybe.
Didn't mean to imply any dishonesty at all, only that someone who's been treated generously by a company is naturally disposed to portray their product in a positive way, especially if their only quibble is a matter of personal taste. I've no doubt the Lupo is a quality rifle. Whether or not it's a good fit for the American market remains to be seen. One SHOT video said it would be out in July.
I would lie like a congressman for a Stone myself, or even a big hunk of backstrap.🐏
That's an objective review. Thanks.
Maybe. Depends on who paid for the hunt, including the gear. He doesn't say, so we don't know.
Not pickin', just being realistic. Matters not to me in any way what people buy or hunt with.
No secret: they paid for the hunt. Now, I’m not saying I can’t be bought, but it would take more than a plains game safari to get me to lie. Stone sheep? Maybe.
Didn't mean to imply any dishonesty at all, only that someone who's been treated generously by a company is naturally disposed to portray their product in a positive way, especially if their only quibble is a matter of personal taste. I've no doubt the Lupo is a quality rifle. Whether or not it's a good fit for the American market remains to be seen. One SHOT video said it would be out in July.
I would lie like a congressman for a Stone myself, or even a big hunk of backstrap.🐏
I have no doubts the Lupo is reliable and accurate, But it’s really ugly. And the stock looks overly complicated.
It’s one thing to buy a rifle that’s accurate and ugly and cheap. It’s another to buy a rifle that’s accurate and ugly and really expensive.
I am not in the ugly camp, certainly different and interesting though.
I have an R-1 it took me7 shots to sight it in and end up with a 5 shot 1 " group an inch high at a 100 yards. Lupo doesn't interest me. The R1 is my wifes. It is a 30-06 and recoils about like a bolt action 243. Shoots plenty good enough. I like that it can be taken completely apart without any tools except the little peg on the forearm. It is a neat design. Not traditional. But trigger is good and will shoot fast if you want to.
I took it hunting this year once and killed a buck and a doe that came out.
That's an objective review. Thanks.
Maybe. Depends on who paid for the hunt, including the gear. He doesn't say, so we don't know.
Not pickin', just being realistic. Matters not to me in any way what people buy or hunt with.
No secret: they paid for the hunt. Now, I’m not saying I can’t be bought, but it would take more than a plains game safari to get me to lie. Stone sheep? Maybe.
Didn't mean to imply any dishonesty at all, only that someone who's been treated generously by a company is naturally disposed to portray their product in a positive way, especially if their only quibble is a matter of personal taste. I've no doubt the Lupo is a quality rifle. Whether or not it's a good fit for the American market remains to be seen. One SHOT video said it would be out in July.
I would lie like a congressman for a Stone myself, or even a big hunk of backstrap.🐏
No offense taken. I’m certainly appreciative of them taking me and, if the rifle were a POS, I would just keep my mouth shut.
Woodhits,
I’m interested in doing a evaluation on how tight the action tolerances are - I go to SHOT every other year, so ... I skipped this year (went last year).
One thing right off the bat - Plastic magazine lips on a 1,600 rifle ... when it’s is a known complaint by Sako guys against the Sako A7, was a easily for see-able thing.
I like the tang safety.. provided it’s bullet proof..
I’m not sure on the trigger angle to the stock... it’s out of line with the tactical shooting path, so it’s an odd ball looking thing for most of the guys..
The recoil system probably won’t impress many unless they throw some 3rd party testing to show how it reduces recoil.
Frankly the stock looks plastic, but the PR says the bottom is metal so it’s hard to tell what’s what.
I’d say you need someone to tear it apart and do some review on it, and I don’t mean a product guy .. I mean a gun smith or competitive shooter who knows what’s up.
It could be a good rifle - first thing I would do is put metal magazine catches, and lips on it... otherwise it’s a bit disposable
Cool you got to hunt with it...
Woodhits,
I’m interested in doing a evaluation on how tight the action tolerances are - I go to SHOT every other year, so ... I skipped this year (went last year).
One thing right off the bat - Plastic magazine lips on a 1,600 rifle ... when it’s is a known complaint by Sako guys against the Sako A7, was a easily for see-able thing.
I like the tang safety.. provided it’s bullet proof..
I’m not sure on the trigger angle to the stock... it’s out of line with the tactical shooting path, so it’s an odd ball looking thing for most of the guys..
The recoil system probably won’t impress many unless they throw some 3rd party testing to show how it reduces recoil.
Frankly the stock looks plastic, but the PR says the bottom is metal so it’s hard to tell what’s what.
I’d say you need someone to tear it apart and do some review on it, and I don’t mean a product guy .. I mean a gun smith or competitive shooter who knows what’s up.
It could be a good rifle - first thing I would do is put metal magazine catches, and lips on it... otherwise it’s a bit disposable
Cool you got to hunt with it...
Just for clarification the A7 has metal lips on the magazine.
One of those guns where you go.. "Oh man I like that, and this is also really nice, this is a good idea anyway even if it's odd looking, and I could live with this part I guess, but good lord why did they do that and that!?"
Slap a Benelli MSRP on it and the general public's interest fades real fast.
(I own 5 Benelli's and may be buying a 6th this week. This rifle didn't make me go "Oooh")
That's an objective review. Thanks.
Maybe. Depends on who paid for the hunt, including the gear. He doesn't say, so we don't know.
Not pickin', just being realistic. Matters not to me in any way what people buy or hunt with.
No secret: they paid for the hunt. Now, I’m not saying I can’t be bought, but it would take more than a plains game safari to get me to lie. Stone sheep? Maybe.
Didn't mean to imply any dishonesty at all, only that someone who's been treated generously by a coompany is naturally disposed to portray their product in a positive way, especially if their only quibble is a matter of personal taste. I've no doubt the Lupo is a quality rifle. Whether or not it's a good fit for the American market remains to be seen. One SHOT video said it would be out in July.
I would lie like a congressman for a Stone myself, or even a big hunk of backstrap.🐏
No offense taken. I’m certainly appreciative of them taking me and, if the rifle were a POS, I would just keep my mouth shut.
From my reading about such things, that appears to be the "industry standard" practice, among honest folks anyway. I always am encouraged when a reviewer buys the item after the test is over, the ultimate recommendation!
Are you in line to receive one for serious testing?
Yes, the economics of booking $10,000 trips to write $1,000 articles pretty much requires it. Unless a writer is independently wealthy or works as a guide, it's pretty much impossible to gain enough experience to keep one's writing interesting month-after-month without accepting sponsored trips. I maintain a real job that pays well so when I started out, I found myself booking expensive hunts year-after-year, only to turn down really great free trips. I've never felt pressure to speak highly of a product that I didn't believe in and I've been on more than one hunt that I never wrote about. To be honest, the bigger ethical battle takes place between the publishers, who are selling advertising, and the editors who are creating the content. Some are better than others: I was once told by an editor that I "could mount any scope that I wanted for the article, so long as it was a XXXXX." That they were taking out full-page ads every month probably had nothing to do with it...
As for serious testing, I had the rifle for several months actually. Since my primary concern was preparing for the safari, I did most of my shooting from sticks rather than on the bench. I probably put 200 rounds through the gun, mostly with the Hornady GMX load.
I imagine that the rifle will shoot well. Looks like the stock is set up similar to the R1. The r1 I had, was one of the most accurate rifles I’ve owned. Maybe I got lucky with it but the the groups it produced would rival most bolt guns.
Nice try but the market is well supplied. Instead of copying Browniing they should try Sauer. A lightweight and affordable S303 would be something.
![[Linked Image from benelliusa.com]](https://www.benelliusa.com/sites/default/files/content/images/2020-01/2020-LUPO_Insert%20Shim%20Between%20Stock_1106x650.png)
![[Linked Image from savagearms.com]](https://www.savagearms.com/DAM/assets/web/800/1795436.png)
![[Linked Image from i.pinimg.com]](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/46/09/6f/46096f2020546815e53cd3a7b9ee6aa9.jpg)
![[Linked Image from sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com]](https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/prodimages/61711-DEFAULT-l.jpg)