It is nice to see a product evolve over time. The Springfield Armory Model 2020 bolt action is a great example. The initial Model 2020 was the Waypoint. My introduction to the Waypoint took place at the 2020 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous writer’s event. It was a no brainer to request one for further testing. This was the start of a beautiful relationship with a number of articles resulting, including the recent long-action Waypoint variant chambered in 7mm PRC.   

When I was told yet another Model 2020 was spawning, I immediately asked where to sign on the Non-Disclosure Agreement. While impatiently waiting for the Springfield Armory box to arrive at my FFL Stonewall Arms, guessing began of what was coming. All were wrong.  Top of my list was Springfield going all traditional with wood and such. I was even pondering Springfield introducing a more economical model going away from the Model 2020 action. I am glad I was erroneous.  

Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary

The new Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary follows Springfield Armory’s established building blocks of success–proprietary Model 2020 action, AG Composites carbon-fiber stock, TriggerTech trigger, and BSF carbon-wrapped barrel. What distinguishes the Model 2020 Boundary from the Waypoint model is a more traditional hunting-centered, classic-style carbon-fiber stock along with hinged floor plate in lieu of detachable magazine.  

Why the Boundary? 

During Zoom meetings discussing the Boundary with the Springfield Armory team, the question was raised…why?  Why, the Boundary?  The Waypoint had momentum going that was only accelerating with the announcement of the long action “boomer” Waypoints. After a moment of silence, the answer came back, “We are gun people at Springfield Armory and wanted another option available focusing more on hunters.”  

The Waypoint’s stock has a vertical, almost straight, grip as it nears the receiver, making it more comfortable when shooting from prone, the bench or from a PRS barrier during a match. The Waypoint was more of a hybrid offering comfortable hunting or competing. However, most hunters prefer a more open grip on their rifle for engaging game during still-hunting, deer stand, blind or a stalk. The “classic” bolt-action rifle stock over the last hundred year or so has been found effective in the widest variety of situations, body styles and shooting positions. This is where the Boundary comes in, it is a hunter. The Boundary’s combination of new classic-style stock with hinged floor plates saves approximately a pound of weight from the Waypoint. This is significant.     

Set Up For Success

The Boundary is not only about the AG Composites Sportsman carbon-fiber stock. Yes, the Boundary offers the sleek lines of a classic hunting rifle. However, features that were pioneered on the earlier Waypoint models pave the way for enhanced performance. The custom-grade Springfield Armory Model 2020 action—short or long—leads the way.  

The Model 2020 receiver is machined from a pre-hardened stainless billet. This makes sure that the dimensional accuracy is not affected by heat treating. An integral recoil lug is part of the action. The least amount of fixturing necessary is used to produce the Model 2020, which also helps to maintain tight tolerances. The one-piece bolt is created from 4140 tool steel. The Model 2020’s bolt is spiral fluted to minimize binding even when dirty. A threaded-on, oversized bolt handle provides solid purchase for manipulation. Dual cocking cams are present to “slick” up the bolt manipulation.

The bolt receives nitride coating for extreme durability, as well as its self-lubricating properties. Lug raceway rails within the Model 2020 receiver are wire EDM cut for further insurance of smooth passage of the bolt. EDM methods are capable of holding dimensional tolerances within one thousandth of an inch (.001”). A Picatinny scope base comes mounted via 4-6×48 screws and two recoil pins for extra stoutness. The receiver, bottom metal, barrel shank and muzzle brake are all Cerakoted.  

Action Items

For maximum accuracy, an action should have a receiver with a bolt hole that is dead straight and centered in the receiver body. The axis of this hole becomes the reference axis with which the chamber, bore and barrel threads are perfectly aligned and to which the barrel shoulder, receiver face, locking lug seats, bolt lugs and breechface should be exactly perpendicular. This ensures consistency, which equates to increased accuracy. Springfield Armory’s exacting attention to detail with the Model 2020 action makes sure all elements important for accuracy are square and true to one and other, including action, receiver, stock, and barrel. What does this mean? Model 2020 action tolerances are tight and true, facilitating accurate launching of bullets when mated to stock and barrel. Speaking of which, the Boundary arrives with a .75 MOA guarantee.    

As with the previous Waypoint, an AG Composites carbon-fiber stock and BSF carbon-wrapped barrel dominate the Boundary’s aesthetics as well as ergonomics. A fluted stainless steel barrel option is also available. Springfield mates its Model 2020 action with an AG Composites hand-laid, pillar-bedded carbon-fiber stock. The point of using carbon is to achieve a high strength-to-weight ratio. The Boundary in 6.5 Creedmoor used for this review weighs in just under 7 pounds. The flat forend has a 4-inch metal M-LOK compatible rail embedded in the carbon-fiber stock, giving user options for sling and/or bipod attachments. Multiple QD sling pockets and embedded M-LOK keeps the Boundary’s stock clean with no protrusions.  

Carbon-Fiber Barrel

BSF takes a different approach with its carbon-fiber barrels. Carbon-fiber is not simply wrapped onto/around a barrel. A roll-wrapped carbon-fiber sleeve is slipped over a turned down 416R stainless steel, match, 22-inch fluted barrel then tensioned between metal shoulders at the receiver and muzzle. Ninety-five percent of the carbon-fiber does not touch the stainless steel barrel, creating air gaps and allowing air to flow around the steel and cool the barrel faster. The carbon-fiber used is designed to expand as the same rate as the 416R barrel, keeping it away from contacting the metal barrel as it heats, thus maintaining venting.   

Even with a moderate rate of fire during accuracy testing, the BSF carbon-wrapped barrels diffused heat well. Carbon-fiber moves heat very effectively through the barrel wall, greatly increasing heat transport away. resulting in barrels that cool faster, maintain accuracy over longer sessions of fire, and live longer. The end result is an aerospace-grade, high-fiber content composite barrel that is stronger and 64% lighter than similar all-steel barrels, while just as accurate as the finest precision steel barrel. 

TriggerTech’s excellent Field model trigger is installed on the Boundary. It features TriggerTech’s patented free floating roller for outstanding shooter/rifle interface. The Boundary’s lock time is industry leading and one of those attention to detail items that produce accuracy. The effects of a good trigger cannot be underestimated in the terms of wringing out the most accuracy. A low-profile, non-snag, frictionless two-position safety is found on the right side of the receiver.  

Supporting Cast

The Boundary will be offered in a multitude of long- and short-action calibers. The Springfield Armory Boundary evaluated herein was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor (6.5 CM) was introduced by Hornady in 2007 for long-range target shooting applications. The cartridge typifies the short and efficient cartridge principle. It quickly became the darling of hunters. 6.5mm bullets have a reputation for high ballistic coefficient (BC) rating as well as sectional density (SD), the ratio of a bullet’s mass to its cross-section. 

All things being equal, a high SD penetrates better than a low SD. Ballistic coefficient is a measurement of how well a bullet moves through the air. Velocity loss and impact of wind drift is minimized the higher the BC rating as the round travels downrange. The final sweetener is only moderate recoil. Bullets weighting 120-140 grains have always attracted hunters/tactical/target shooters. It is hard to beat 6.5mm 129-143-grain bullets moving at 2,900-2,650 feet per second, respectively.   

An important part of the accuracy equation is a quality optic to go along with cartridge and rifle. A Leupold VX-5D 3-15x44mm riflescope was mounted on the Boundary. The Leupold’s versatile 5-times zoom system provides a larger field of view at close ranges and better target acquisition at long ranges. The Leupold VX-5D utilizes second focal plane reticle. While risking excommunication, I prefer second focal plane for my hunting rifles. Leupold designed the VX-5D lineup to give hunters and shooters the quality features they desire in an affordable package. Leupold has equipped the VX-5D with an illuminated center dot, which can vary the light intensity of the central aiming point from dim to bright for daylight illumination, resulting in a defined aiming point for precision shot placement in any condition.  

Test Rounds Downrange

Different 6.5 CM loads were fired from the bench with Springfield Model 2020 Boundary. Various hunting loads from Hornady, SIG Sauer, Federal, and Barnes were chosen. The specific loads were SIG Sauer’s 120-grain HT Copper and 130-grain Controlled Expansion Tip (CET), Barnes VOR-TX 120-grain TTSX BT, Hornady 129-grain SST and 143-grain ELD-X and Federal 120-grain Trophy Copper. This is just a small splattering of the 6.5 CM loads available from each company with other manufacturers offering even more. Overall, accuracy was impressive with no load producing five-round groups larger than 1 inch at 100 yards. Most were under the magical 1-inch mark. Springfield’s .75 MOA for three rounds was easily obtained.  

Not a lot of time was spent at the bench on Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC) 100-yard range. There are more indicative evaluations for a hunting rifle than merely firing from a bench at a 100-yard target. Groups were fired at 300 yards as a further evaluation of the Springfield Boundary’s intrinsic accuracy. The SIG Sauer 130-grain CET loads performed the best at both 100 and 300 yards. Significantly, the loads held onto sub-MOA (smaller than 3 inches at 300 yards) or better criteria. This is what makes the 6.5 CM so user friendly—easy in recoil department and delivers the goods on target.  

Field Testing

A rifle that shoots well off the bench instills confidence when field practice starts or more importantly in the woods when stalking game. After the bench work at Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC) Range #2, firing was done from more field expedient positions such as prone with bipod and pack support along with from prepared “dug in” positions offered at EVTC. Dastardly clay pigeons were the targets of choice strewn on the EVTC berm anywhere from 210-335 yards away. I worked the Boundary’s bolt vigorously and acquired the next target as quickly as possible. The four-round internal magazine was constantly being topped off. The ergonomic stock, Leupold optic, premium ammunition and slick bolt proved potent.   

The Springfield Boundary’s accuracy combined with 6.5 CM ballistics and clear, powerful Leupold optic enabled hits on target at distance. For example, shooting 8-inch round steel poppers out to 650 yards on EVTC’s Known Distance Range. The EVTC Jungle Walk Range was used to get a sense of handling of the Springfield Boundary. Targets were set up randomly along the meandering 575 yards. A shooter would move down the path until a partner points out a target for engagement, albeit paper or steel. Often unconventional, braced field positions were assumed, taking advantage of fallen tree or limb for support. 

The Boundary’s classic stock design allows for a good cheek weld no matter position and aids in preventing a “slap” of the face during recoil. The ability to move through varied terrain and engage randomly placed targets hidden within cover suited the Boundary perfectly. The Boundary proved easy to handle with no searching for target required when the rifle was brought up to the shoulder.  

Final Shots

Even a cursory glance at the new Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary will cue you in something special is at hand. The Boundary has taken the Springfield’s concept of the bolt-action rifle another step forward with hunters being the biggest beneficiary.  

For more info, visit springfield-armory.com.

Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary Specs

• Caliber: 6.5Creedmoor tested (multiple other calibers available)
• Barrel: 22-inch carbon-fiber wrapped 1:10 RH twist 
• Overall Length: 43 inches
• Overall Weight: 6 pounds, 15 ounces
• Overall Capacity: 4-rounds, hinged floorplate
• MSRP $2,599

PERFORMANCE: Springfield Model 2020 Boundary in 6.5 Creedmoor