Fluted rods: is the latest innovation introduced by Benelli in the range of Argo air rifle with the Argo E Fluted model. What are the reasons behind this innovation? For an exhaustive explanation it is necessary to start from afar, from the concept of mass. The mass of a body is the measure of its inertia, that is of the resistance that the body opposes to all the variations of its state (of rest or motion); similarly (thermal energy is equivalent to mechanical energy), when in thermodynamics we speak of thermal inertia, mass gives us the measure of the ability of a material or structure to vary more or less quickly its own temperature as a response to variations in external temperature or to an internal source that brings or removes heat.
This means that for the same caliber and length, a larger diameter barrel (therefore with a greater mass) will fire better than one with a smaller diameter because it is more rigid and with a more regular vibratory rate; furthermore, the barrel of greater mass will heat up more slowly and consequently will not suffer or suffer less from the negative effects of overheating in the event of particularly intense use cycles.
Benelli Argo E Fluted - A specific design
For Argo E Fluted, Benelli did not limit itself to opting for a “normal” rod in which to practice a certain number of grooves. There cane fluted made in Urbino is the result of a specific design and a more complex production process. It could have been done simply by grooving the Compact / Battue barrel, thus moving back the center of gravity. However, such a solution would have resulted in minimum sections not conforming to the high safety standards that characterize Benelli products and the gain in terms of speed of climbing to the shoulder would have been of little significance and in any case would not have “compensated” for the greater wheelie.
Argo E Fluted is also equipped with Comfortech system for the reduction of recoil and wheelie, factors that make it possible to reduce the split times between shots, a feature also appreciated on a compact semiautomatic rifle like this one. The reduction of split times and ease of use are important values for Benelli: with the Argo E Fluted an 18,5 "barrel guarantees a center of gravity almost overlapping that of the Argo E with a 20" barrel, therefore a more advanced value than to that of Argo And Battue e Argo E Compact. In fact, while the barrels of the same length of the last two weigh 900 grams, that of the Fluted weighs 981, exactly 36 grams more than the 20 "barrel, which however has a muzzle diameter of 15,9 mm, substantially superimposable to the 16 mm of Battue and Compact, but less than 17,5 mm of Fluted.
Benelli Argo E Fluted - A more rigid and resistant rod
The barrel of the Argo E Fluted it is more rigid and heats up more slowly than those of the Argo E in the range; the accuracy of the shot is less affected by the variation of the ammunition. Argo E Fluted is a semi-automatic that can also be used off the beaten track, either to engage the occasional "far" prey, or for selection hunting. This “ambitious” compact rifle is only offered in .30/06 e .308 Winchester, which are not affected by the reduction in length of the rods with which they are used.
This model is equipped with new generation 4-shot magazines, characterized in the front third by the presence of an internal septum that guides the neck of the cartridges so that they are “rigidly” aligned in their two columns. The magazines are two-wire with alternating presentation like the previous ones and with these they maintain the most complete interchangeability.
Benelli Argo E Fluted it is equipped with a comfortech stock with Air Cell recoil pad that can be changed quickly and without tools; the rifle is fitted with a special short (15 mm) polyurethane buttplate, the medium (25 mm) and long (35 mm) ones can be purchased separately. The Air Cell recoil pad is anatomic and is also available for left-handed people in low and medium sizes.
In Benelli philosophy aimed at guaranteeing an increasingly articulated and “tailor-made” range of proposals Argo E Fluted is a solution able to fully satisfy the needs of a large audience of hunters. A visit to the armory and, better still, a field test is enough to get a confirmation.
Technical sheet: BENELLI ARGO E FLUTED
CALIBRO: .30 / 06 Springfield and .308 Winchester
Mechanics: Geometric locking with rotating shutter, gas intake group with ARGO Endurance system short stroke piston
carcass: In matt black anodized ergal
canna: 47 cm cryo with 4-start right-handed rifling, muzzle diameter 17,5 mm; longitudinal lightening grooves
Football and Auctions: In technopolymer with Air touch checkering
LOP: 350 mm +/- 2 with short buttplate mm changeable to 360 mm +/- 2 mm with medium buttplate and to 370 mm +/- 2 mm with long buttplate
Recoil pad: Interchangeable, anatomic in polyurethane
Hake: Interchangeable gel (medium mounted, optional low and high)
Fold at the Hake: 44 mm
Fold at the heel: 55 mm adjustable to 53,63,68
Safety: Transverse, ambidextrous with red gun ready to fire warning signal
Trigger Guard: Black anodized technopolymer
CALIBRO: .30 / 06 Springfield and .308 Winchester
Look: Carbon fiber half rib with fiber optic inserts, Easy Aim Argo E fiber optic front sight adjustable laterally and vertically, on request, equipped with protection tunnel; sheath designed for mounting Weaver, Picatinny or quick release bases
Loaders: Prismatic removable 4 shots; optional 2 or 5 round magazines
Length: 1.020 mm with 47 cm barrel