AllOutdoor Review: The Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire Target
Nicolas Lenze 10.24.23
I understand the hold that precision shooting has on so many Americans, as well as shooters in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most expensive disciplines to get into. The High-performing rifles, custom-loaded cartridges, and worst of all, land, are not always available to everyone. As more shooters found their way into PRS and hunting, they’ve discovered that there’s another way to train, and it doesn’t have to be so draining on their resources. Rimfire analogs to higher caliber rifles have made their way into the precision world in a big way. There are even rimfire-specific PRS matches, like NRL22 and others. Springfield Armory recently unveiled their line of Model 2020 rifles, which includes the Model 2020 Rimfire Target.
Springfield Armory Coverage on AllOutdoor
- Introducing Springfield Armory’s Latest: The Model 2020 Rimfire Rifles
- The New Lightweight Model 2020 Redline from Springfield
- NEW Federal Custom Shop Ammo for Springfield 2020 Waypoint Rifles
The Model 2020 Rimfire Target: Specifications
- Barrel length: 20”
- Overall length: 38”
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Capacity: 10
- Weight: 7 lbs, 7 oz
- MSRP: $499
Mini Green Giant
I had the rifle come in to my favorite local FFL, Action Firearms in Castle Rock, CO. Black rifles are cool and all, but I always prefer a pop of color. This 2020 Rimfire has a composite stock in Sage Green with black webbing. This is the Target model. The 20-inch barrel has a heavy profile, a 1:16 twist, and is 1/2 x 28” threaded for suppressor and muzzle device use. The receiver comes ready for your scope with the use of an interrupted Picatinny rail.
The bolt is made from 4140 steel and wears a high polish white chrome coating. The bolt handle is threaded, allowing you to swap it with aftermarket knobs. The stock is polymer and houses an adjustable Remington 700-style trigger. The wide face of the trigger is very comfortable, and at this point, I’m itching to see what it feels like in live fire.
A 2020 Rifle With 2023 Ammo Prices
So, what’re we talking here? Is this thing going to be accurate? That’s really the whole point of the gun, so I took my time with the groups. I did all my testing with basic Winchester 36-grain copper-plated hollow points. I shot from a bench at about 50 yards, and my first group was very promising. These were my first shots with the rifle, so I put down ten rounds on the first target.
I shot these groups using a bag and a Maven CRS.1 scope. The hole in the center is two rounds, there’s one just low, and the other seven make up that ragged hole in the upper left. As I continued shooting, I could clearly tell which shots were affected by my performance. The groups that followed were all five-rounders. My third group is a great representation of what the rifle is able to do.
As I’ve stated in the past, precision rifle shooting has never been my bag. It is growing on me, though. So, imagine my surprise when I shot the last group of the day, and got all five rounds to touch. A lot of the variation in my patterns was poor breathing. I could also see input from my heartbeat in the glass. Once I got my timing down and broke my shots after the second life-giving thump, things really tightened up.
The target stock was very comfortable to get behind and would be a great off-the-shelf option for anyone looking to start competing. This is especially true with an MSRP of $499. Add some glass and a couple mags, and you could have a pretty sweet setup for well under a grand. If I had a Magpul bipod, I think it would live on this rifle full-time.
On the topic of bipods and accessories, this is where I could be more impressed. Though the stock has a more modern look, I would have loved to see attachment points that match. Maybe I’m weird, but I do most of my rifle shooting with an AR-15, and I’ve come to love the utility of carbine slings. Some QD points would be a solid addition, especially with how many “tactical” shooters find their way into hunting. M-LOK at the front of the forend would also be a huge bonus, but I understand that features cost money and would increase the price.
Tiny Bolt, Big Performance
If I’m being honest, I had an absolute blast with the Model 2020. I obviously did my technical testing for this article, but with a fresh box of 555 rounds, it was hard to stop. Something to note is that the 2020 Rimfire takes 10/22-pattern rotary mags. However, I couldn’t get the BX-15 to seat, and I imagine the same is true for the BX-25s. The CRS.1 scope was a nice compliment to the rifle and the Picatinny rail made mounting it a breeze. The trigger felt crispy as my morning bacon and the wide face really helped me with my finger placement. The black version has a $434 pricetag, and that’s probably the way to go, since I’m probably going to paint this gun anyway. The Sage Green is very easy on the eyes, however, and I don’t regret my decision.
I would love to see a .22 WMR version of this rifle. If this is made for reaching out, dealing with pests, and putting food on the table, the extra thwack could be useful. Springfield Armory got a lot of things right on this rifle, and I can guarantee it will be with me next time I’m at the range, or in the woods.
If you’re looking for a new competition .22 bolt gun, or you want a new rabbit rifle, take a look at the Model 2020 Rimfire Target product page on the Springfield Armory website. Make sure you follow along with Springfield on social media. They can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Confirm your zero!
