Thread: Benelli Lupo 30-06 first impressions

Well I took my new Benelli Lupo out for a spin today.
First a bit about the set up specs.
Rifle: Benelli Lupo
Cal: 30-06 Springfield
Optics: Nikon Monarch 4-16×40
Rings: Contessa 1" low
Ammunition: Sako 150gn game head (soft points)

Arrived at the range to bright sunny clear skies and no wind to speak of...relatively unheard of around North Canterbury where theres alway a wind blowing.
I bore sighted the benelli (badly I might add) then set the rifle up on a bench in a rest.
It took me 3 shots to get the P.O.I where I wanted it, I cleaned the barrel between each shot.
Then set out shooting my first 3 shot group at 100 yards off the bench, again cleaning between each round.
.793"

@dannyb
Well, don’t leave us hanging, how does the bloody thing shoot ? :-)

D’oh 10 seconds too slow
Sorry

I find shooting off a bench very un natural and don't do my best shooting, so time to get down to buisness....
I set up prone on the ground with my javelin bipod.
3 more shots, cleaning the barrel between each shot.....I made a cock up and when I set up prone the legs on my new javelin are much shorter than my old one that I sold, I had to lie almost flat and have my neck tilted right back to get a decent check weld and the correct eye relief....I should never have shot like that but the excitement of new toys overrode the common sense to find a more natural/comfortable shooting position.
The group proved it too at 1.56"
I kicked myself but knew it wasn't the rifle it was me....
The group below shows the 3 shots marked with x's

Commonsense re engaged I set the bipod up on a small platform to bring the height up to a level that was more natural and allowed me the shoot from a much more comfortable position.
I then fired off 3 shots 1 after another without cleaning.
The group closed back up to .719" and proved my theory about the poor group I just shot before (more self kicking)

First impressions.
* I need to buy some longer legs for my bipod
* the internal recoil reduction system works incredibly well, I shot 12 rounds of 30-06 and the recoil is almost non existent.
* the factory ammo is as expected from Sako ammo pretty damn good.
* I've adjusted the trigger right down and it's very nice to use.
* the action is super slick I can't emphasize this enough, if you get the opportunity to fondle one I suggest you do, you'll see what I mean.
* the mag feeds flawlessly and spent cartridges eject well and don't seem to hit the bottom of the scope, I ejected a couple with authority to test this, most of the rest I gently cycled the bolt and lifted them out.

My experience so far is that I really like it. The test target that came with the rifle showed a 3 shot group with factory norma 150gn fmj at just over .5" which I think is absolutely credible.
I have only run 12 rounds of sako factory ammo, I have no intention of trying any other factory rounds as I will be starting load development next week when the rest of my components arrive.
The finish of the rifle is absolutely 1st class, the fact it comes with an array of shims means it fits well out of the box.
It's an absolute pussy cat to shoot with the recoil reduction system in the but stock.
I think it shows great potential for load development.
I definitely think a suppressor is on the cards not because it needs any further recoil reduction but purely for noise reduction as I often hunt with friends and it's much nicer for everyone with the report tamed down a bit, especially if you need to make a quick shot and not everyone has time to sort ear pro.
I'll start a new thread for load development, but any questions ask away

what's the recoil reduction system ?
Be interesting to see how you go with 180gn pills in the 3006. What pills are you thinking of doing your load dev with ?

Originally Posted by chainsaw

what's the recoil reduction system ?
Be interesting to see how you go with 180gn pills in the 3006. What pills are you thinking of doing your load dev with ?

The recoil reduction system is some kind of shock absorber the same as used in some Benelli shotguns.
The barrel is a 1:10 twist so should stabalise heavies.
I have quite a stock of 178gn eldms enroute

Nice looking rifle. Congratulations also on the calibre choice.
The 06 is very forgiving and easy to load for and components seem to be readily available unlike some other calibres.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Nice looking rifle. Congratulations also on the calibre choice.
The 06 is very forgiving and easy to load for and components seem to be readily available unlike some other calibres.

Yup I have stocked up on enough components to keep me going for a few years....

How many rds in the mag for the 06 Danny?

Originally Posted by jakewire

How many rds in the mag for the 06 Danny?

5 rounds double stack configuration

WELL GET PLAYING with that once fired brass....cause you can.....pleased you have found a rifle that suits you.....fit is very important.
look forward to your final load work....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

WELL GET PLAYING with that once fired brass....cause you can.....pleased you have found a rifle that suits you.....fit is very important.
look forward to your final load work....

As tempted as I am no point in playing with the Sako brass as it may behave completely different to the Starline brass I have enroute.
Believe me I am bloody tempted

oh bugger off...its a dirty 06...it wont behave THAT differently......
one of these days I will get you on range.........actually heres a challenge for you.... shoot a group with as many different loads as you have for single rifle...and see how terrible it is.
I did it years back with my old .270 10 rounds coverable by playing card......at hundy yards its a very dead animal...
you load same projectile with same charge of same powder and the group size will be much smaller....any difference in internal volume of case will amount to what??? 1/4-1/2grn powder in charge weight.....look at your developement groups from the past....MOST are well usable
maybe Im just lucky..the old .270 did it....my .223 does it even better.
the new Howa put 3 different brands of factory into just over inch...thats with 4x scope mind......

go on...have a tootoo you KNOW you want to.LOL