The Waypoint promises to be the first of Springfield’s new Model 2020 rifles. It’s available in two camouflage versions (Ridgeline shown here), a choice of Cerakoted stainless steel or carbon-fiber barrels and either a standard or adjustable stock.
September 29, 2020
By J. Scott Rupp
Springfield Armory is jumping into the hunting rifle market with the new Model 2020 Waypoint , the first in what the company says will be a full line of guns built on the all-new Model 2020 action. We’ve got a test rifle on the way, but in the meantime, here are the basics.
The Model 2020 action is a two-lug, push-feed design. The bolt body is fluted for light weight and dependability in the worst conditions, and the lug raceways are EDM-machined for smooth bolt work. The nitride-coated bolt also features dual locking cams and a removable oversize handle for easy operation.
A zero m.o.a. Picatinny rail with two recoil pins sits on top of the Cerakote-finished receiver, and if you don’t want to use the rail, the receiver will accept Remington 700-pattern bases. The action’s recoil lug is machined integral with the receiver, not a separate piece.
The Cerakote-finished barrels on the stainless-steel models (Evergreen camo version shown here) are fluted. All Model 2020 barrels sport a radial muzzle brake that’s removable. The rifle feeds from AICS-pattern single-stack magazines. Mag capacity for the 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win. is five rounds; for the 6.5 PRC it’s three rounds.
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The trigger comes from TriggerTech. It’s adjustable from 2.5 to five pounds. The Model 2020 also promises a super-fast lock time—1.9 milliseconds—which Springfield says is 45 percent faster than the competition.
Barrels include a carbon-fiber model from BSF Barrels or a fluted stainless barrel. The BSF barrel has a roll-wrapped carbon-fiber sleeve and is loaded under tension. The sleeve doesn’t contact the barrel for 95 percent of its length, creating a cooling space between barrel (which is also fluted) and sleeve. Both barrel options are threaded 5/8x24 and feature a removable Springfield radial muzzle brake.
The Model 2020s feed from a single-stack AICS-pattern magazine. Magazine capacity for the 6 Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester chamberings is five rounds; the 6.5 PRC version has a three-round mag capacity. The hand-laid carbon-fiber stock is from AG Composites and offers pillar bedding. The overall design might best be described as sporter/tactical, with a vertical-style pistol grip. An adjustable cheekpiece is available as an option. Paint schemes are Evergreen or Ridgeline camo.
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Instead of the standard sling swivel studs, the 2020’s stock has four QD pockets: two located high on the side of the buttstock; one in the traditional bottom position on the buttstock (where you’d normally find a swivel stud); and two on the sides of the fore-end. The fore-end also sports reinforced M-Lok slots at the front for attaching a bipod.
Weight of the standard stock is one pound 15 ounces; the adjustable cheekpiece version weighs two pounds 11 ounces. With the standard stock and the carbon-fiber barrel, overall weight on the Waypoint can be as low as six pounds nine ounces. That is a great carry weight, especially for a stock design of this kind.
Features like the hand-laid stock construction, pillar bedding and fast lock time suggest the rifle should perform well, and Springfield is guaranteeing the Model 2020s to shoot 0.75 m.o.a . Suggested retail prices are $1,699 (stainless barrel, standard stock), $1,825 (stainless, adjustable stock), $2,275 (carbon-fiber barrel, standard stock) and $2,399 (carbon-fiber, adjustable stock).
