Field Test: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint Rifle

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The solution to the long-range hunting question is to get closer. Hunting is, after all, the search for something—and ethical hunting dictates hunters close the distance to ensure an almost sure thing when the shot is taken. That distance depends on the hunter, their hunting and shooting skill, and their rifle. It might be 200 yards for some and twice that for others. Springfield Armory’s Model 2020 Waypoint rifle is ideally adapted to serve any hunter, regardless of what their maximum ethical and practical range might be. springfield model 2020 waypoint rifle One of the most-respected and skilled backcountry hunters of all time was Townsend Whelen. He was a military man and a prolific gun and hunting writer who undertook many wilderness adventures. He once wrote, “A man will travel farther, hunt over more country, have a better chance of coming on game, and be in better condition when he does if his weapon is light.” Springfield Armory seems to have taken Whelen’s advice when they designed the Waypoint.

They wisely chose Alabama-based AG Composites to make the stocks. Founded by an Army Ranger and two Marines, by modernizing the inclusion of carbon fiber and dedicating many man-hours to quality control, AG Composites crafts some of the finest synthetic rifle stocks currently in production.

Strategically placed sling swivel attachment points allows the Waypoint to be very effectively used with a shooting sling.

The Springfield Model 2020 Waypoint rifle is offered with two stock variations, and in two color options. The base model features a flawlessly pillar-bedded stock with five smartly located QD sling swivel mounts, and a three-slot M-Lok rail on the underside of the forend.

Pillar bedding ensures accuracy, the sling swivel mounts allow for varied carry and the practical use of a shooting sling, and the M-Lok rail permits endless bi- and tripod attachment options. The other variation has all these features but adds a three-axis adjustable comb to maximize shooter interface. Both are available with either an Evergreen or Ridgeline camouflage finish, and a ¾-inch XL Decelerator recoil pad is standard.

VIDEO: SEE THE WAYPOINT

The Waypoint’s bolt has dual locking lugs, a plunger ejector, and the bolt head fully encases the cartridge rim.

The action is drilled and tapped to accept Remington 700 pattern mounts with 6×48 screws. It also has a Remington 700-like, two-lug bolt and plunger ejector. However, the push-feed bolt has an extractor similar in design to those used on push-feed Winchester Model 70 rifles.The radial-fluted bolt glides on EDM raceways and is smoother than any factory bolt-action I’ve worked, and the rifle feeds flawlessly from a five-round AICS detachable magazine. It also has a radically enlarged ejection port, and the recoil lug is integral to the action.Two different barrel options are offered. There’s a 22-inch, fluted, stainless steel barrel, and for an additional $500 or so you can opt for a 22-inch, carbon fiber wrapped barrel. Both come with an SA radial muzzle break.

The radial-fluted bolt glides on EDM raceways and is smoother than any factory bolt-action I’ve worked, and the rifle feeds flawlessly from a five-round AICS detachable magazine. It also has a radically enlarged ejection port, and the recoil lug is integral to the action.

If you want to ditch the break—most hunting guides would appreciate that—a thread protector is included. Given the available chamberings, a muzzle break is not really necessary, but the threaded muzzle also allows for easy suppressor attachment. Hunting guides love suppressors, but they do add length and tend to make rifles unwieldy. For suppressor lovers the 22-inch barrel helps with that.

VIDEO: WAYPOINT PREDATOR HUNT

The nearly vertical grip and high comb of the Waypoint’s AG Composite stock works well from a variety of shooting positions.

My Waypoint is chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor and is the lightest version with the non-adjustable comb. It currently wears a Leupold Mark-5HD 3.6-18X44 mounted in Leupold Mark-4 medium rings. My rifle also has a Valhalla M-Lok adapter attached to the M-Lok section on the underside of the forend. This allows rifle compatibility with my Spartan Valhalla bipod and Sentinel tripod system. With a Galco RifleMann sling, the 26-ounce Leupold riflescope, and the adapter and the 13-ounce Valhalla bipod, the rifle weighs just 10 pounds. Throw all those accessories on most long-range capable hunting rifles and you’ll be at 12 or 13 pounds.

I tested three loads in my rifle and the average for all 15 groups—three, five-shot groups with each load—was exactly 1.00 inch. These were hunting (not match) loads, and that’s excellent performance from an out-of-the-box 6.5-pound rifle.

Richard Mann

HuntStand Pro Contributor

For the Waypoint, Springfield Armory offers an accuracy/precision guarantee of 0.75-MOA for three-shots at 100 yards, “with match-grade ammunition in the hands of a skilled shooter.” I tested three loads in my rifle and the average for all 15 groups—three, five-shot groups with each load—was exactly 1.00 inch. These were hunting (not match) loads, and that’s excellent performance from an out-of-the-box 6.5-pound rifle. Also, the 15 groups were fired with a bipod from the prone position, with none of that barrel-cooling between shots some gun writers do, to reduce reported group sizes. They were shot just as you might shoot when in the field.Regarding shooter interface, the great precision was no doubt aided by the clean-breaking Trigger-Tech trigger that comes standard on every Model 2020 Waypoint rifle. The stock’s steep grip angle combined with the narrow wrist circumference was very comfortable, and the high comb positioned my eye perfectly behind the riflescope.The side-mounted QD sling swivel receptacles made using a shooting sling easy, from the prone or seated position. And, they also help deliver great carry comfort, positioning the rifle flat against your back when utilizing a muzzle-down African carry.

Precision shooting with a rifle requires many things and a good trigger is part of that equation. The Springfield Armory Waypoint has one.

I’ve been shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor for several years and appreciate its suitability for hunting large and small game, while offering ridgeline-to-ridgeline reach. I’ve tested a lot of Creedmoors but never found the one I wanted, until I put my hands on the Waypoint. Though it is also available in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and 308 Winchester, I believe that for the hunter, the Waypoint is the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifle currently available in factory form. It’s the only 6.5 Creedmoor I’ve written a check for.

Quick-detach, side-mount sling swivel receptacles allow for the Waypoint to be comfortably carried African style. Notice how the rifle’s side is against the carrier’s body.

I don’t consider myself a long-range hunter. On every hunt I work to close the distance, so the shot is within my comfort zone, generally inside 300 yards. However, If the situation demands it, and the conditions allow it, I’m prepared to stretch that distance to around 500 yards. With the Model 2020 Waypoint I know I have a rifle capable of supporting me, whether I’m stalking a timber-dwelling elk, or stretching out across the prairie for a pronghorn. It’s light enough for the long hunt, and accurate enough for the long shot. springfield model 2020 accuracy