SHOT 2020: Benelli's Bolt-Action Rifle, the Lupo

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posted on January 22, 2020
benelli-lupo2.png
The 2020 SHOT Show is ushering in a banner year of big surprises--on the one hand, we have renowned bolt-action rifle manufacturer Savage Arms introducing their new Renegauge semi-automatic shotgun, and on the other, we now have an equally famous shotgun manufacturer, Benelli, introducing their first-ever bolt-action rifle, the Lupo. "Lupo" means "wolf" in Italian, and Benelli has envisioned this particular rifle to be the apex predator of your gun safe. There's more to it than that, of course--legend has it that the city of Rome was founded by twins named Romulus and Remus, who were raised from infancy by a she-wolf named Lupa. For a storied company with roots that dig into Italian history for nearly five centuries, this choice of name heralds a new era for Benelli. 
 
Because this is Benelli we're talking about, we're assured that the Lupo was engineered from the ground up to delilver you a top-end shooting experience from a rifle loaded with exclusive features. We do mean "loaded"--there are no fewer than seven exclusive Benelli patents in this hunting rifle (and at the risk of sounding too pedantic, we'd like to point out that Rome is a city of seven hills). It's a three-shot rifle, offering sub-MOA performance from a steel-to-steel bedded barrel in an alloy chassis receiver. The inital Lupo offerings include three of the most popular bolt-action calibers (.30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag., .270 Win.). A synthetic stock incorporates Benelli's patented Progressive Comfort recoil-reducing system and Combtech cheek pad for comfortable shooting, so we can expect that even heavy-hitting big-game calibers won't leave a bruise.
 
In addition to the sub-MOA accuracy you would expect from a Benelli rifle, the 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. This is a particular boon to those of us whose physical measurements don't add up to "average."
 
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.
 
 
Specifications
Stock/Finish: Black synthetic/black. Trigger: Adjustable (2.2-4.4 lbs.). Barrel: Free-floating CRIO/threaded (5/8x24 threads). Capacity: 5+1. Length of Pull: Adjustable 13.8 - 14.75 inches. Warranty: 7 years. MSRP: $1,699
 
.270 Winchester - Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 44.625 inches. Overall Weight: 7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:10 RH
.30-06 Springfield - Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 44.625 inches. Overall Weight: 7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH
.300 Win. Mag. - Barrel Length: 24 inches. Overall Length: 46.625 inches. Overall Weight: 7.1 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH
 
For more, visit www.benelliusa.com.

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