Preview: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint

Springfield Armory has long been a dominant player in the semi-automatic rifle world, thanks to its popular M1A platform. However, the company has never offered a purpose-built bolt-action rifle. Until now. New this year is the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint, the first of an entire family of bolt-action guns built from the ground up to provide pinpoint precision accuracy from a modern design.

"The Model 2020 has arrived and marks a new dawn for modern bolt-action rifles from Springfield Armory," Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese said. "It sets the standard for precision manufacturing, performance and accuracy from an American-made, custom-grade rifle."

In designing the Model 2020 Waypoint, Springfield Armory spent years examining the market place, developing and testing new designs and incorporating cutting-edge engineering into a platform capable of performance equal to or better than precision guns costing thousands more. The use of state-of-the-art materials combined with premium components and top-shelf engineering means that Springfield is confident in standing behind a .75-MOA accuracy guarantee on every rifle for a three-shot group with match-grade ammunition.

At the heart of the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint is the receiver, which features an enlarged ejection port, an integral recoil lug and a hybrid dual-plane feed ramp designed to ensure reliability. The receiver also features bolt-lug raceways cut with electrical-discharge machining, which allows Springfield to hold tight tolerances and ensure smooth bolt cycling. The receiver also features a sliding extractor, a low-profile bolt stop, fluted bolt, 90-degree bolt handle and a removable bolt knob. Mounted atop the receiver is a Remington 700-style optics rail complete with two recoil pins that anchor it in place.

Mated to the Model 2020 Waypoint's receiver is a BSF barrel that features a roll-wrapped carbon-fiber sleeve. The unique element found in BSF's barrels is the fact that most of the carbon-fiber sleeve doesn't actually make contact with the barrel, which promotes cooling and preserves a reliable, repeatable cold-bore shot. The barrel under the sleeve features generous fluting that also enhances cooling and reduces weight. The free-floated barrel can be had with either a carbon-fiber wrap or a traditional stainless-steel fluted barrel, depending on consumer preference. A radial brake tops the threaded muzzle on this barrel, which reduces recoil by driving propellant gases outward.

One of the key elements in the success of the Springfield Model 2020 Waypoint precision rifle is the use of a TriggerTech trigger, complete with the company's trademarked Frictionless Release technology. The trigger is user-adjustable from 2.5 to 5 lbs., and it includes a patented roller that promotes a clean, consistent pull. Along with this clean-breaking trigger, the design of the rifle's action ensures an incredibly fast lock-time, defined as the time it takes from the trigger break to the firing pin striking the primer. For precision rifles, this is a critical component, and Springfield worked to reduce this time to an incredible 1.9 milliseconds. This ensures a lesser chance that you'll deviate from your intended point of impact due to any slight movement during the firing process.

The barreled action of the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint sits inside an attractive, feature-rich, carbon-fiber stock from AG Composites. The hand-laid stock is pillar-bedded and features an optional three-axis adjustable cheek comb, five quick-detach sling-swivel cups, a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad and an AICS-pattern magazine well. Topping it off is a custom-finished camouflage paint job available in either Evergreen or Ridgeline camo.

Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint rifles are available in .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and 6 mm Creedmoor. Barrels can be had in 20", 22" and 24" lengths. Suggested retail pricing on the rifle starts at $1,699. For more information, visit springfield-armory.com.