Benelli’s newest entry into the bolt-action rifle game is their Lupo. Characteristic of Benelli’s gun engineers, the Lupo presents a unique Italian flair. The rifle tested was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, a new offering this year. The Lupo is fitted with a black synthetic stock, and Benelli designers paid extra attention to felt recoil mitigation. Their Combtech cheek rest helps, and they’ve even got a Progressive Comfort recoil absorber between the stock and the butt pad.
It was unanimous in the group’s approval of the functionality of the Lupo’s tang safety, and the rifle’s single-stage trigger broke consistently at 2.5 pounds. The Lupo is customizable for individual fit, with shim kits available to change the comb rise, and raised extra-high cheek pads are available, too. The length of pull can also be adjusted with a longer pad.
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Wonder how it shot? It averaged 1.333 MOA among all shooters at all ranges, and it achieved sub-MOA with the smallest groups fired. The Lupo wore a great piece of glass during this test. The Leupold VX-6HD 3-18×44 optic was noted by more than one shooter as very crisp.
This Lupo’s street price of $1,500 was middle of the pack. The gun rose in the ranks compared to last year’s performance, but there seems to be a couple of things that are holding it back. “It’s ugly,” Lyons said, adding “and it’s got three different checkering patterns. Chambering a round feels rough and I had to fight the bolt to seat a round.”
