Explaining the considerations on a totally new shotgun basing the discussion only on the images highlights several limitations: having the weapon already allows you to get to the bottom with the technical evaluations, but it is always the test in the range that provides an adequate response and worthy of a shotgun class what is the model Wolf of Benelli.
The House of Urbino takes the steps in a very measured way to allow the various sectors to proceed smoothly and without undue chasing: the commercial sector probes the expectations of the market, the technical one the resources from which to draw ideas to satisfy the requests, but being Benelli, even and above all preceding them. The world of rifled barrel is certainly not new for the company which for several years has been a top presence in the semiautomatic market: it is, on the other hand, in the specific sector of the sliding swivel movement where imagination and memory lead us to the Mauser. K98, archetype of the system. We are not going to re-propose the interpretation given by Benelli that we think we have sufficiently described in our previous passage, dwelling with due attention to how the rifle is positioned when in the shooting range.
Already in removing the weapon from the scabbard to place it on the supports, two factors are appreciated: the first aesthetic and the second weight. In terms of aesthetics in Urbino they have always distinguished themselves for a search for classicism and innovation, almost a strident contrast that here assumes a character value, an emblem, a seal, a coinage that make the together, that is the complete image of the shotgun, developing and expanding the favorable considerations when we then go into the details. The second factor is the weight: it is useless to deny how in recent years the reduced mass has become an essential point to entice customers, all of them willing to run up the mountains in the spasmodic search to be the first to reach the garment already made. an idea during the pre-opening reconnaissance.
The negative side of this solution lies in the sensation of recoil: here too we notice how today many suffer from this physical reaction of the weapon, some in a bodily way, others, in our subdued opinion, in a psychological way. In any case, science and technology are supported by muzzle brakes and the Lupo also has a live muzzle thread, covered by a ring nut for those who do not intend to make use of the contraption which, said between us, in the shooting range is very annoying for those who stands beside. The same applies if we are hunting sideways close to those who observe the result of our shot with the long: better to move back, if you can, keeping out of the expansion cone of the gases. On the raised dust, or the snow, another discourse would open: those who have had experience know the result.
The rifle on the supports
Before extracting the speargun from the sheath, we take care to open the bolt, a maneuver that we will repeat several times during the tests: the right force to be applied to the handlebar and immediate, pleasant smoothness of the bolt when retracting. The posture on the front support is stable thanks to the slightly curved profile of the rod under the barrel, as well as that of the beak of the butt in rabbit ears. A peculiarity of the shotgun is the possibility of adjusting the advantage, the length of the butt and the height of the back comb: the specimen fits our number right in our hands, as Carlo says, who is ready for shooting tests with us and to which we willingly give in. an imaginary jus primae noctis. The bolt remained open when it came out of the sheath and so, once the target placed at 100 m is framed, insert the first cartridge directly into the side window and push it into the chamber. The noises and sensations of mechanical movements satisfy those who are not just looking for ballistic functionality: comfortable, pleasant and personal the double-angled handlebar and the smooth ovoid knuckle which, when closed, remain adherent to the blank allowing a quick grip with the hand while there are no obstructions with the optics in the opening movement.
It is time to act on the trigger whose groove on the surface for the finger can be appreciated: the implant with direct release and minimizable release weight, according to the manufacturer, at just under 1 kg, pays homage to the American style without any negativity, so spinning, scratching, retroscatto collapse are completely absent. A nice and functional shot, but a thought to the old European hunters will perhaps lead to propose the alternative of a schneller. The three closing flaps require an angle of only 60 ° and the fluidity of the movement is of an unusual pleasantness as well as the slight noise, we would say silky, of steel on steel. Let's try to insert some cartridges in the magazine pack without encountering the slightest hitch as they do not arise when moving it from its seat: the release lever in front of the guard is easily accessible from the finger, not from external obstacles that get in the way while driving with the rifle braced.
We check the safety key placed on the codetta of the castle and also this important detail proves to be functional, with a silent, quick and executable movement with the weapon already in sight: a lock with a spring button to avoid accidental movements would be optimal. The solution of the additional command to release the handlebar with the safety engaged, allowing the withdrawal of the chambered cartridge in total tranquility, is very appreciable. Similarly, the lever on the left of the castle to remove the bolt: definitely preferable to the pressure system on the trigger.
Reactions to the shot
We settled down by fortunately finding the shotgun / optic measures perfectly suited to our physical complexion. We have already tried a few blank shots and we are ready, after the chambering of a cartridge, to shoot: we refine the aim and the release takes place in a completely regular way with the factory calibration at about 1.320 g. The caliber adopted is the 6,5 Creedmoor, a recent proposal by Hornady that provides various loads, hunting and shooting, with remarkable performance: the USA House, distributed in Italy by Bignami di Ora (BZ), carefully takes care of its products. and especially those with the denomination Match that we have had the opportunity to try with excellent results in other situations as well. There is no shortage of reloads and in general the barrel masters a wide variety of bullets with a preference for heavy ones such as Hornady's 147 gr ELD-X, chronographed in the original version at 805 and 808 m / sec.
The rifle proves to be very stable and detects very little thanks to the straight axis, according to US use, allowing you to keep the target in the optics, a factor of considerable usefulness in hunting. The recoil, already reduced on its own, is further mitigated by the energy-absorbing butt plate which does its job very well. Remaining seated and almost without changing the shooting posture, you can act comfortably on the handlebar and, with a calibrated movement, take the case directly from the ejection window, ready for some interesting reloading. Likewise, the new cartridge is introduced which, pushed by the bolt, makes no fuss about centering the hole in the chamber. All these movements must be tried to appreciate the Benelli project and execution with a thought to the price of € 1.900,00. We can conclude that the balance of the new product is complete: in the sensations, in the performances, in the required currency. Perhaps we fall into the obvious by saying that we expected it, but we like to underline how the House of Urbino has fully gratified us this time too.
Data Sheet
Manufacturer: Benelli Armi Spa via della Stazione 50, 61029 Urbino (PU) - Tel. +39 0722 3071 - Fax +39 0722 307207 - www.benelli.it - [email protected]
Model: Wolf
Type: rifled rifle with sliding rotating bolt
gauges: .300 Win. May - .30-06 Sprg. - .308 Win. - .270 Win. - 6,5 Creedmoor - .243 Win.
operation: with ordinary repetition
Castle: in steel with front ring and closed rear bridge - light alloy frame inserted between the action and the stock
canna: in cold hammered carbon steel with Criobarrel treatment - length 56 cm standard calibers and 61 cm .300 Win. Mag. And 6,5 Creedmmor
Shutter: in treated and burnished steel Be.ST - three fins on the head
Percussion: floating firing pin with coaxial spring inside the shutter
Supply: extractable packet magazine with 5 cartridges (4 per magnum)
Triggering device: group mounted under the castle - single trigger direct release, adjustable between 990 and 2.000 grams approx
Extractor: nail inserted in the top / right flap of the shutter - orthogonal movement and internal spring
Ejector: elastic pawl in the bolt face
Line of sight: no metal sights - predisposition for the attachment of the scope
Safety: two-position with button in the upper tail of the castle - trigger lock, firing pin and handlebar - side button to allow opening with safety inserted
Stocking: in two pieces molded in polymer - butt plate Progressive Comforts energy absorbing - pistol grip and contoured under-barrel - grip fields with effect Air touch non-slip - back strap Tecnogel (3 interchangeable) and plates to change the edge and inclination)
Finishes: polished burnishing with Be.ST finish of the barrel and action - anodizing of the Ergal frame - black polymer stock
Weight :: Approx.3.200 g with 56 cm barrel (variations based on component tolerances)