Springfield 2020 Waypoint Review: Reach out and touch something

The point of bolt-action rifles is accuracy, repeatable accuracy. Repeatable in both rounds on target and ease firing additional shots. The Springfield 2020 Waypoint fulfills both of those requirements. This long-action .300 PRC rifle is one of the most accurate out-of-the-box rifles I’ve ever been behind. 

Now, I’ve shot some very accurate rifles, but most had been tuned and customized to maximize accuracy. With a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 scope attached and sighted, all I had to do was load it up and fire. 

The first shot at 100 yards hit dead center of the target. Needless to say, I was a little surprised. The second hit was touching the hole of the first. The third pretty much did the same. The first three shots I fired from the Springfield 2020 Waypoint long-action rifle measured .49 inches. That set the tone for the day. 

Springfield 2020 Waypoint Rifles

The accuracy of the 2020 Waypoint starts with the action. It contains a hybrid dual-plane feed ramp and enlarged ejection port, sliding extractor and uses electrical discharge machining (EDM) on the bolt lug raceways. It also comes with a fluted bolt, 90-degree bolt handle and an integrated rail for mounting optics. All this makes cycling smooth and reliable. Next comes the barrel and stock. 

For the stock, Springfield worked with AG Composites to develop the Waypoint carbon-fiber stock. This strong but lightweight stock is hand-layed and pillar bedded. It comes in one of two customized camo patterns—Evergreen and Ridgeline—with five strategically place QD mounts for attaching a sling. It also comes with a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad and an AICS pattern detachable magazine. 

The stainless-steel barrel comes either fluted or wrapped in carbon fiber. The BSF barrel is roll-wrapped in a carbon fiber sleeve and loaded under tension. According to Springfield, this means that 95% of the sleeve doesn’t come in contact with the barrel. This provides air gaps to help keep the barrel cool during fire. The barrel also features a SA radial muzzle break that can be removed to attach a suppressor or the included thread protector. 

For the interface between the rifle and shooter, Springfield uses a TriggerTech trigger. This low-profile trigger contains the company’s Frictionless Release Technology. It is adjustable from 5 pounds down to 2.5 pounds, and it has a free-floating roller to eliminate creep and snags. 

Without a scope, the Springfield 2020 Waypoint weighs 7.5 pounds with a 24-inch carbon barrel. The receiver is stainless steel with green Cerakote and it comes with a padded-foam rifle case for transport or storage. 

Lightning Strikes (More Than Twice)

Paired with the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 on a sturdy bench and a Caldwell Tack Driver, the Springfield 2020 Waypoint is accurate. I mean it is really accurate. I started at 100 yards, shooting Hornady 225-grain ELD Match ammunition. Five, three-shot groupings later showed this rifle could absolutely meet Springfield .75-inch guarantee. The five groups averaged .506 inches. 

After letting it cool down, I ran five, five-shot groups with the same ammunition at the same distance. Accuracy was right on par, though it expanded some. The five-shot groups averaged .92 inches. 

I also shot five, three-shot groups with Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition, firing a 212-grain ELD-X bullet. Groups with Precision Hunter averaged larger than Match, but were still excellent. The best grouping with Precision measured .69 inches, with the five groupings averaging .91 inches. 

The last test I ran with the Springfield 2020 Waypoint rifle was at 300 yards against steel. The range had set up five steel gongs—8, 6, 4, 3 and 2 inches—for shooters, along with a coyote and a hog. I rang the yote and pig in one shot each before stepping down to ring the gongs in order. I hit the 8 inch, 6 inch, 4 inch and 3 inch with first shots. Unfortunately, I got stuck on the 2 inch. I just couldn’t figure out how to hit that little 2 inch circle. In no way do I blame the rifle. 

Pros & Cons

The Springfield 2020 Waypoint in .300 PRC is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever shot. If you have the ability to hit a target, it will put the bullet where you aim. I was impressed with both the rifle and the round. 

The fit and feel was superb, the action was smooth, and the weight and recoil pad worked well to reduce felt recoil. I knew I was behind power, but it didn’t hurt, even after multiple boxes send down range. The trigger was smooth, light and crisp, with almost nonexistent play. 

On the other end, I had a hard time finding things to complain about on this rifle. It’s heavy. With the Leupold optic, it weighs 8.7 pounds unloaded. It is not something I would want to lug around the woods all day. However, tt would be great for a box blind overlooking a bean field. 

It is also loud, especially with the included muzzle brake. I would absolutely add a suppressor before I hunted with this bolt-action rifle. That or use electronic hearing protection, possibly both. I’m not squeezing the trigger on the Springfield 2020 Waypoint without something protecting what hearing I have left. 

Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 Riflescope

I’ve received rifles with attached optics before. Companies do this for a variety of reasons. One of the biggest is to eliminate any issues of using a riflescope that is not up to the standards of the rifle. The Leupold VX-5HD was on par with the Springfield 2020 Waypoint.

The first shot showed the rifle had been sighted at 100 yards. Since I like mine sighted at 200 yards, I entered all of the pertinent information into Ballistic AE. It showed that a 200-yard zero with Hornady Match ammo would be 1.65 inches high at 100 yards and 6.88 inches low at 300 yards. I made the adjustments and went to work. 

The Leupold was crystal clear throughout testing. I had zero issues with glare. After finishing the accuracy portion, I wanted to see the capabilities of the riflescope. I had already determined the adjustments were sure when changing the zero to 200 yards. The side focus adjustment also worked perfectly. 

Other features on this rear focal plane optic include Guard-Ion lens coating, and it is completely waterproof, fog proof and shockproof. It also comes with the CDS ZeroLock 2 elevation dial and the Wind-Plex reticle. The elevation dial provides push-button unlock to keep it from be knocked off, while the Custom Dial System (CDS) is where Leupold builds the turret for a specific rifle and load. 

For my purposes, I wanted to see if adjustments were true and whether it would always go back to zero. So, I shot the square. In fact, I shot two of them. I moved the knob 16 clicks to the right and fired two rounds. I then moved it 16 clicks up, 16 clicks to the left and 16 clicks down, firing two shots between adjustments. Then, I went the opposite direction. When finished, I had a near perfect “8” in squares 4 inches apart on the target. And the zero was right where it started. 

There is not much else I can ask for a riflescope. It was clear, easily adjustable and it kept its aim throughout recoil of a .300 PRC. 

By Paul Rackley, GunBroker Editor