BENELLI LUPO ALPHA

With its radical 3D-printed skeletal stock, lightweight chassis system and sub MOA performance with lead-free ammunition, this new Benelli is one of the most distinctive modern stalking rifles on the market, writes Bruce Potts.

There are periods within the shooting world that genuinely mark a progression in firearms development. Having tested rifles for more than 35 years, I can appreciate when a manufacturer brings something genuinely different to the table rather than simply re-stocking or tweaking an existing model.

Benelli has always been one of my favourite manufacturers because the company pays little attention to trends or what everyone else is doing. Instead, it treads its own path and produces rifles that shooters and stalkers genuinely appreciate once they understand the thought and engineering behind them.

Every Benelli I have tested has exceeded expectations and, judging by the deer that have passed through my larder over the years, the company has produced another very special rifle with the Lupo Alpha.

This Alpha model is a real revelation when you look at what is currently available on the sporting rifle market. Benelli has taken the normal genre of rifle design and completely tipped it on its head. First up is the radically designed skeletal stock, produced using 3D-printed polymer technology, making this one of the lightest chassis-based sporting rifles available today.

Combined with the ultra-smooth bolt operation and Benelli’s patented BE.S.T surface treatment, which carries a 25-year corrosion warranty, the Lupo Alpha is a very hard act to follow at £1,950.

SPECIFICATION

The Benelli Lupo has an unusual action design and personally I really like it. On this Alpha model, where weight saving is key, extensive scalloping and machining along the action sides help reduce unnecessary mass while also giving the rifle a very modern appearance.

Attached to the receiver is a one-piece aluminium Picatinny rail, allowing straightforward mounting of conventional optics, thermal devices or NV units.

One feature often overlooked on Benelli rifles is the quality of the metal finish. The Alpha benefits from the company’s superb BE.S.T treatment, wearing a satin black and grey finish that is exceptionally resistant to corrosion, scratching and poor weather. The bolt body itself is gloss black and extremely hard wearing. For stalkers spending long periods outdoors in miserable conditions, this finish is a genuine asset.

Lupo actions are quirky, yes, but they are also extremely pleasing to operate. Again, weight reduction is clearly part of the design philosophy, with the bolt body heavily scalloped and paired with an elliptical three-lug bolt head producing a short 60-degree lift. The polymer bolt shroud incorporates a red cocking indicator and the whole action cycles incredibly smoothly without binding.

I particularly like the tang-mounted safety which, when engaged, can still allow the bolt to be opened via a small side lever while the rifle remains safely on. It is a very practical arrangement.

The dog-legged bolt handle is another sensible touch. It protrudes enough for a confident grip but not so much that it constantly snags on clothing or vegetation. Old-school perhaps, but it works.

Barrel weight can make or break a lightweight stalking rifle in terms of handling, harmonics and accuracy. Benelli has sensibly opted against a carbon-wrapped design, instead using a lightweight steel barrel treated with the company’s CRIO process to improve stress relief, thermal stability and longevity.

The Alpha’s barrel measures just 20in, which I think suits the .308 Win chambering perfectly. The barrel profile is very slim, tapering from 26mm at the action down to just 15.4mm at the muzzle, creating an exceptionally lively rifle. Naturally, after six to eight quick shots it benefits from cooling, but that is hardly an issue in genuine hunting situations.

The barrel is fully free-floated and threaded 5/8in UNEF for moderator fitment.

THE STOCK

Now to the really interesting part of this rifle. I admit I am quite conservative when it comes to rifle design, but genuine innovation deserves recognition and this Alpha stock is something genuinely special.

Benelli has looked at conventional stock production and simply decided to do things differently. Rather than moulding together two synthetic halves or machining away material from a traditional stock blank, the Alpha uses 3D-printed polymer technology to build the stock structure upwards layer by layer. The result is a skeletal honeycomb design that is both visually striking and remarkably lightweight while still retaining rigidity and strength.

At only 2.6kg, or 5.7lb, the Alpha is currently one of the lightest chassis-style sporting rifles available. The two-piece stock attaches to a central aluminium chassis system, providing a stable bedding platform while maintaining excellent balance and handling.

Visually, the stock has an almost organic, bird-skeleton appearance. It looks unlike anything else currently on the stalking market and creates a huge visual impact while serving a very practical purpose in reducing weight.

The dark grey anodised chassis follows Benelli’s familiar angular styling and incorporates further scalloping and cutaways to remove excess material. The detachable five-shot polymer magazine integrates neatly into the design and feeds flawlessly.

The stock is also highly adjustable. Comb height can be altered using interchangeable comb inserts, while length of pull can be adjusted from 13.75in to 15in via supplied spacers, allowing the rifle to fit a wide range of shooters.

The textured finish eliminates the need for aggressive chequering and provides excellent grip in poor weather, while Benelli’s Progressive Comfort recoil pad system does an excellent job of softening recoil from the .308 chambering.

TRIGGER

Accuracy can easily be ruined by a poor trigger, but Benelli generally gets this right and the Alpha is no exception. The single-stage trigger on test broke crisply at 2lb 3oz and felt very predictable in use. It is adjustable between 650g and 1,650g should shooters wish to alter it, while the trigger blade itself can also be adjusted slightly using supplied spacers.

AMMO TEST

Let’s be honest here – I am an old fart these days and I have seen plenty of rifles come and go over the decades, but this rifle genuinely gets the pulse racing a bit. Given the direction of future legislation, I tested the Alpha exclusively with lead-free ammunition.

The standout load was Hornady’s 125gr ECX ammunition, which I rate very highly. Velocity averaged an impressive 2,996fps for 2,492ft/lb of energy, while three shots grouped into just 0.45in. Exceptional performance from factory ammunition.

Next came two Sako Powerhead Blade loads. The heavier 162gr version grouped into around 1.25in at 2,567fps and 2,370ft/lb, but the lighter 130gr Blade Pro loads were much tighter. Velocity averaged 2,870fps for 2,376ft/lb and sub-MOA accuracy, making these a strong hunting option.

Norma Eco Strike 150gr loads also shot very well, producing sub-MOA groups at 2,722fps and 2,468ft/ lb of energy.

RWS HIT ammunition continued the trend. In .308 Win I generally favour lighter lead-free bullets and the 130gr version produced excellent 0.55in groups alongside 2,585fps and 2,403ft/lb.

Overall, the Alpha clearly favoured lighter lead-free bullets and delivered consistently impressive accuracy throughout testing.

IN THE FIELD

No surprise then that I selected the Hornady ECX loads for a late-season Chinese water deer outing.

CWD generally bed in ditches and hedgerows at field margins and are always alert to danger. Conditions were typically wet underfoot – quiet for stalking perhaps, but less enjoyable once my wellies started leaking.

Using the excellent Pulsar Symbion DXT50 multispectral binoculars, I carefully worked my way into position overlooking a roughly 100-yard-wide field bordered by dense scrub and a known bedding area.

Resting the Alpha on a Harris bipod immediately highlighted one of the rifle’s greatest strengths – its effortless handling. The rifle feels incredibly light and manoeuvrable without sacrificing stability.

I initially spotted deer around 180 yards away on the Pulsars, but moments later another doe suddenly appeared just 20 yards downwind before bolting across the field. Thankfully she had not fully identified my position.

After another 30 minutes, during which a fox also appeared to test my patience, the doe finally re-emerged at 93 yards. The Alpha came smoothly onto aim and,

with the ECX load, dropped her cleanly where she stood, validating the Alpha’s hunting credentials perfectly.

CONCLUSION

Benelli rifles are always interesting to test because they genuinely offer something different while still remaining practical and highly effective in the field.

The Lupo Alpha combines extremely lightweight handling with excellent ergonomics, superb lead-free accuracy and genuine all-weather capability. Some shooters may initially question the radical stock design, but once used properly in the field it becomes very easy to appreciate the thinking behind it.

From static ambushes to woodland stalking or hill work, the Alpha handles beautifully and carries effortlessly.

Considering the amount of innovation and engineering involved, it also represents excellent value for money.

If you want a lightweight stalking rifle that genuinely stands apart from the crowd while still delivering where it matters most, the Benelli Lupo Alpha deserves a place near the very top of the list.

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