AO Review – Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint 6.5 Creedmoor
Paul B. 12.29.23
Light weight and capable is the name of the game for the Model 2020 Waypoint from Springfield Armory. This growing family of rifles advertise an impressive list of features and guarantees, all bundled into a rifle that is easy to pack into the woods. Back in 2021 AllOutdoor’s Adam Scepaniak reviewed a Waypoint equipped with a carbon fiber wrapped barrel, let’s see how the more budget friendly steel barrel version compares as Springfield also includes the same 3/4 MOA 3 shot accuracy guarantee.
Springfield Armory stands behind all Model 2020 rifles with a rock-solid .75 MOA accuracy guarantee — for a three-shot group at 100 yards with quality match-grade factory ammunition, in the hands of a skilled shooter.
Springfield Armory Coverage on AllOutdoor
- Springfield Armory Debuts 20″ California Compliant Hellion 5.56mm
- AllOutdoor Review: Springfield Armory Hellion Rifle 5.56 NATO – OD Green
- AO Review: Springfield Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm Desert FDE
Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint 6.5 Creedmoor
Springfield Armory® has a storied history of building fine firearms for defense and competition. Now, our skilled gun makers set their sights on their next pursuit – the Model 2020 Waypoint™ premium American-made bolt action hunting rifle. This 6.5 Creedmoor rifle features a custom painted Evergreen carbon fiber stock with an adjustable cheek comb, and the fluted stainless steel barrel delivers precision performance downrange. See the way with the Model 2020 Waypoint™.
Specifications
- CALIBER: 6.5 Creedmoor
- COLOR: Evergreen Camo
- BARREL: 22″ Fluted 416 Stainless Steel, 1:8, Mil-Spec Green Cerakote® H-264
- RECEIVER: Model 2020 Stainless Steel, Mil-Spec Green Cerakote® H-264
- OPTIC MOUNTING: Picatinny Mount, Rem 700 SA Pattern, 6-48 Screws
- BOLT: Fluted 4140 Tool Steel, Nitride
- STOCK: Hybrid Profile, Adjustable Carbon Fiber, M-Lok®
- TRIGGER: TriggerTech Adjustable, 2.5 – 5 lbs
- MUZZLE DEVICE: SA Radial Brake, Mil-Spec Green Cerakote® H-264
- MAGAZINES: (1) 5-Round, AICS Short Action
- WEIGHT: 7 lbs 15 oz
- LENGTH: 43.5″
The Model 2020 Waypoint Springfield sent for me to try out is in 6.5 Creedmoor and equipped with the less expensive fluted steel barrel, bringing the MSRP down to $2,244 while still maintaining the 3/4 MOA guarantee but does add a few extra ounces to the weight and may not be as rigid as the carbon fiber wrapped version.
Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint 6.5 Creedmoor – Setup and Accuracy
I tried two different configurations with the Waypoint while I had it, the first was with a Nightforce SHV 4-14×56 and a Deadair Sandman S. This configuration was a poor combination for this rifle as the suppressor was too heavy for the light profile barrel, making for a large POI shift that was not as repeatable as I would’ve liked. This is evidence that the more rigid carbon fiber wrapped barrel model may be worth it if you plan on shooting suppressed with anything other than the lightest weight titanium suppressors.
The Nightforce SHV is also one of my favorite hunting optics, but it is on the heavy side, taking away some of the advantages the Waypoint brings with its amazing carbon fiber stock.
I later paired the Waypoint with a Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22×50, which, like the Waypoint, offers a lot of capability in a shockingly lightweight package. I also opted to leave the Springfield radial brake in place and not use a suppressor. This combination, while loud, was consistent, enjoyable, and very light. The radial brake works exceptionally well to remove what little recoil 6.5 Creedmoor has, but is absolutely not something I would fire in an enclosed shooting house or indoor range.
I tested a plethora of factory ammunition offerings in 6.5 Creedmoor with quite a few reaching Springfield Armory’s 3/4 MOA 3 Shot Guarantee. With the ultra-light nature of the Waypoint’s steel barrel, 5 shot groups will start to open and are nearly always outside the 3/4 MOA Guarantee. My best results were with:
- Hornady 143gr ELD-M 0.55 MOA
- Spark’s Munitions 143gr SMK 0.6 MOA
- Norma Golden Target Match 143gr 0.7 MOA
- AAC Seirra Match 140gr 0.75 MOA
- AAC 140gr Softpoint 0.8 MOA
The ammunition that I tested that this Waypoint absolutely did not group well were all lower grain weight and did not group well in my control rifle either. These included:
- Winchester Deer Season XP 125gr 2.1 MOA
- Remington Core-Lokt Tipped 129gr 1.8 MOA
- Hornady Superformance 129gr SST 1.5 MOA
- Hornady 120gr ELD-M 1.4 MOA
These findings are all in line with what I’ve found with comparable 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rifles, with some being better than others. One advantage the Waypoint has over the others is the consistency. Once you find a loading that the Waypoint groups well, it will group it well over and over again with three shot groups, leaving time for the barrel to cool.
Myself and fellow AllOutdoor writer Eugene L had an excellent range day session with the Waypoint at Talladega CMP, and we both were making accurate first round impacts with a ballistic calculator from 100 to 650 yards. We were both very impressed with the Waypoint’s performance.
Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint 6.5 Creedmoor – Hunting
My last trip with the Waypoint was whitetail hunting here in Alabama. While the Waypoint in 6.5 Creedmoor is at home making long range hits on game animals out west, I truly enjoyed it here in the Southeast. At first, I wasn’t sure about the inclusion of QD sling cups on the stock, almost came off as it were trying to appeal to the tactical market that Springfield is also a huge player in, turns out my new favorite hunting sling is a Blueforce Gear Vickers. The Waypoint was the most comfortable rifle I’ve taken into the woods. Lightweight, I was able to dial the sling with the multiple QD sling options all over the stock, and something my friend pointed out, not only is it light, but it is also incredibly well-balanced.
The whitetail I harvested with the Waypoint was on land that we are currently trying to cull the Doe population, attempted to better the overall health of the herd. The Waypoint performed its job perfectly, delivering an accurate and immediate humane kill. This is a rifle that I trust to do the job.
Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint 6.5 Creedmoor – Final Thoughts
The Model 2020 Waypoint is a lightweight and capable rifle, just as Springfield states that it is. While it is an incredible rifle, I do have a couple issues to talk about. I am not a fan of the magazine release, while I understand what they were trying to do with making it an easy motion to extend your index finger to press the release, I believe a traditional paddle style would’ve performed that job just as well. This is a personal preference; some may prefer this design. Other shooters that I let use this rifle did comment on it, that is why I am mentioning it. The Springfield design does offer the advantage of reducing the chance of being a snag point, something to keep in mind.
The fitment of the included Magpul AICS compatible magazine is fairly loose, leading to an annoying rattle, very simple fix for the end user, use a metal MDT magazine, the fit is excellent, and the 5 rounder looks amazing matching the line of the bottom of the trigger guard.
The action while very smooth and reliable can be prone to bolt bind if even forward pressure is not used. This is easy to avoid with proper practice and use of the bolt and not once while using the rifle did this pose a problem, I only noticed it when a less experienced shooter was using it at the range.
The light fluted barrel while being a selling point of the rifle is itself a compromise. It is prone to heat soak degrading accuracy and large POI shift with heavier suppressors. Both of these issues can be mitigated with the use of a titanium suppressor and a slower firing cadence allowing time for the barrel to cool or step up to the more rigid carbon fiber barrel model. This is not a complaint with the design of the rifle, more so just a nature of light profile barrels in general and something to keep in mind if purchasing this rifle as a recreational shooter.
With these overall very minor complaints, this is a fantastic rifle that I would trust any day hunting or recreational shooting. From the smooth reliable action, excellent TriggerTech Trigger, and comfortable adjustable stock, this is a very pleasant rifle to shoot. Springfield did a great job and I look forward to seeing how the family of Waypoint rifles continue to grow. I highly recommend you check out of a Model 2020 Waypoint out for yourself. Like me, I feel you will be impressed by the overall craftsmanship and performance of the rifle. Visit the product page HERE and click HERE to find a retailer near you.
