Three tried-and-true Benelli builds that deserve space in your gun safe, and one new-for-the-year model that deserves an eyebrow raise.
by Jace Bauserman
I went off the deep end last year. Over four months, I tested multiple Benelli makes—both shotguns and rifles. I busted clays and punched paper and toted many of the guns afield. From doves to ducks to deer, my Benelli arsenal proved effective.
Here are three Benelli guns I highly recommend adding to your hunting arsenal and one newcomer I’ve yet to test, but am ultra-excited about.
Benelli BE.S.T. Lupo Camo Bolt-Action Rifle
I’m a sucker for an excellent bolt gun, and after spending two weeks sending Winchester’s 190-Grain Big Game Expedition AccuBond downrange from Benelli’s BE.S.T. Lupo Camo Bolt-Action Rifle, I was hooked.
One of my favorite features is the Combtech cheek pad. Not only does the pad ensure exact eye-to-optic alignment, but it also prevents cheek slippage during periods of inclement weather. However, the Combtech’s most pleasing feature is that it works with the built-in Progressive Comfort System to reduce felt recoil.
While I adore the accuracy and power of a .300 Win. Mag., the caliber produces significant recoil. I’ve shot rifles in this caliber that were zero fun to shoot. This isn’t one of them. Though the Crio-treated free-floating 24-inch barrel doesn’t have a brake, I found the Progressive Comfort System and Combtech cheek pad reasonably tamed recoil. I was able to stay in my optic and make rapid follow-up shots.
At 7.1 pounds, the rifle is a joy to tote, and it has streamlined ergonomics that boost handling. The double-stack box magazine is easy to load, and the chassis-style separate stock, receiver, and forend allows total shooter customization. Spacers allow length-of-pull adjustment, and 36 shims let you customize drop and cast. The rifle is remarkably accurate. Three-shot groups were put on paper and a metal gong from 100 to 500 yards with impressive results.
Available Calibers
- .300 Win. Mag., 6.5 Creedmoor. .308 Win., .30-06 Sprg.
Specs
- 22-24 in. barrel lengths
- 1 in 8″ and 1 in 11″ twist rate
- 5 +1 magazine capacity
- Bolt-action
- 44.225-46.225″ length
- 6.9-7.1 lbs.
What I Loved
I applaud the durability of the BE.S.T. proprietary coating surface treatment, which makes the rifle bulletproof. I also love the rifle’s quick handling (it shoots great offhand) and ultra-smooth bolt throw.
What I Didn’t Love
Though the rifle didn’t punish my shoulder and cheek, recoil was present, and after putting two boxes through this bolt-action rifle, I knew it. I suggest adding a muzzle brake or a suppressor.
Benelli Lupo HPR Bolt-Action Rifle
One of my favorite rifles of 2024 is Benelli’s Lupo HPR Bolt-Action Rifle. Staying with the bolt-action theme; this rifle is perfect for sit-and-wait whitetail hunters or western big-game hunters who plan to hike a short distance and set up.
My Lupo HPR BE.S.T arrived chambered in .308 Win. With an Oklahoma whitetail hunt on the horizon, I spent weeks behind this uber-accurate rifle. If you don’t get in a hurry, you’ll quickly discover how many customizable features this tack driver has, and you’ll spend time setting up the rifle to ensure you achieve maximum downrange accuracy. If you do, you’ll discover a rifle that will reach out and punch hide at extended distances.
I love the push-button, eight-position adjustable comb, and when spending time on the bench, I removed the bag rider and rested the stock perfectly on the shooting bags. When it was time to go hunting, I slipped the bag rider back on the stock and was set to go. The rifle also allows single-screw grip change, four drop positions, three deviations, six length-of-pull adjustments, and it comes with one trigger spacer plate. In short, you can set this rifle up to be a long-range assassin.
The wide, flat forearm fits any tripod and works excellently when set on a solid shooting rail. Recoil is virtually non-existent in the tested caliber, and from 276 yards, I double-lunged a mature Oklahoma buck. After the hunt, I created a make-shift Sooner State rifle range and made steel ring out to 923 yards with this ultra-accurate rifle.
Available Calibers
- 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win., .300 PRC., .338 LM., .300 Win. Mag.
Specs
- 61-65 cm. barrel lengths
- Double Stack 4 round and Double Stack 5 round
- Bolt-action
- 61/24″-65/26″ length
- 4250-4700 grams
What I Loved
This is not an offhand shooting bolt-action rifle. However, when set on a tripod or fired off a solid shooting rest, it is one of the most accurate factory rifles on the market. The Lupo HPR BE.S.T. builds shooting confidence quickly.
What I Didn’t Love
I kept myself in excellent physical shape, and after toting this rifle for a mile up an Oklahoma hill, I was ready for a break. The gun is heavy, and you don’t want to walk the Rockies with one. This is a walk a short distance and sit-and-wait on game rifle.
Benelli SBE 3 Max-7
I’m always on the lookout for a new waterfowl widow-maker. I found one in Benelli’s SBE 3 Max-7. The SBE 3 needs no fancy introduction. The number of satisfied waterfowlers spanning the globe tells those looking for a new SBE 3 all they need to know.
The model delivered to my doorstep was , a 12-gauge, 3-1/2-inch chambered shooter with a 26-inch barrel. The camo pattern laid over the Comfort Tech 3 stock, receiver, forend, and Crio barrel is stunning. The shotgun will melt into any waterfowl terrain. Besides the recoil pad, comb, 24 chevron-shaped holes in the stock, trigger guard, action, and extended Crio chokes, the entire shotgun is blanketed in Max-7.
Realtree created Max-7 for the waterfowling crowd. Loaded with cattails, reeds, cane, grasses, and crops like corn, oats, wheat, and sunflowers, this pattern conceals in open fields, flooded marshes, and everywhere in between. Realtree wanted a design that would allow the hunter to disappear in any waterfowl environment on Earth, and Max-7 is the answer.
The shotgun easily handled steel, bismuth, and blended metal loads in lengths of 2-3/4-, 3-, and 3-1/2 inches. Patterns were remarkable, and I appreciate that Benelli provides extended Crio chokes in Modified and Improved Cylinder and standard Crio chokes in Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, and Full.
Hint: Don’t ignore the full choke when hunting big honkers. It throws a solid pattern while keeping pellets uniform and tight, boosting killing power.
The stock build is remarkable. Dubbed the Comfort Tech 3, Benelli split the stock diagonally and added shock-absorbing chevrons, which soak up recoil like a sponge. Combine the chevrons with the padded cheek comb pad, which provides no-slip cheek weld and reduces facial impacts and vibrations, and you have a shotgun that is fun to shoot and promotes rapid and accurate second and third shots.
Available Gauges
- 12, 20, and 28
Specs
- Standard Grip
- 26 and 24 in. barrel lengths
- 3+1 magazine capacity
- Red-bar front sight
- Semi-auto
- 48-50 in. length
- 6.9-7 lbs.
What I Loved
The fit and feel of this shotgun is remarkable. It shoulders quickly, swing like a dream, and recoil is highly manageable even when shooting magnum goose loads. I also applaud the Inertia-Driven System. The shotgun handles all load lengths with varying payloads from light to heavy without the user having to make adjustments.
What I Didn’t Love
I could lie and tell you something, but I won’t. There’s not much not to love with this shotgun.
Benelli SBE 3 Compact Series
While I’m still waiting to get one of these new-for-2024 models in my hands, I’m loving the reports I’m reading. The third generation in the SBE 3 line, the SBE 3 Compact, is shorter and lighter.
Why?
Improved in-the-field handling while enjoying all of the same mechanical innovations that make the SBE 3 amazing. This shotgun will fit small-framed shooters like a glove via its short, lightweight design with a shorter length of pull.
The SBE 3 Compact shotguns wear 26-inch barrels and have an overall length of 46 1/2 inches—3-1/4 inches and 1-1/4 inches shorter than standard SBE 3 28- and 26-inch barrel models. These shotguns handle 2-3/4 and 3-inch shotshells, and have weights (depending on gauge) between 5.4 (28 gauge) and 6.7 (12 gauge).
There you have it: three tried-and-true Benelli guns that will fill your freezer and your wall, and one yet-to-be-tested model that sports all the signs of a soon-to-be Benelli legend. Head to your local Benelli dealer, ask more questions and find one or four that work for you.
