Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary in 6.5 Creedmoor: Full Review

Four years ago, Springfield Armory announced the Model 2020 Waypoint bolt-­action rifle in Guns & Ammo’s November 2020 issue. The new-for-2024 Model 2020 Boundary shares much of the same DNA, but is without the detachable-box magazine. A longer internal magazine is now in its place. Many, especially among hunters, prefer an internal magazine because it is more comfortable to carry in the field. Some find the flush-­fit internal mag more aesthetically pleasing (and less “tactical”), too. Regardless of the magazine, the Model 2020 Boundary exhibits the same exceptional performance as its predecessor.

The stock is made by AG Composites. Complete with bottom metal and an internal magazine, it weighs 2 pounds, 4 ounces. The flush-­fit bottom metal and floorplate are made from aluminum, and all contours of the floorplate and bottom metal are smooth. There are no sharp edges to discomfort the hand. Guns & Ammo received a test sample chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, so it held four cartridges in the magazine. While it was possible to stuff five rounds in the magazine, it required a sharp slap of the bolt handle to move the bolt forward to chamber a round. Trying to load five rounds isn’t practical.

The internal box magazine has a longer length than the detachable box that comes with other models. The Boundary is capable of feeding rounds that are 2.99 inches long from the internal magazine, instead of the 2.85-­inch length in the polymer detachable box mags. Considering the significant differences in bullet shape, the additional length is welcome because it allows handloaders to seat bullets at their preferred distances from the barrel’s lands. Having the option of loading rounds longer than normal also allows shooters to chase the lands as the barrel wears and the lands migrate down the bore.

Sum of Its Parts

On inspection, the Boundary’s carbon-­fiber stock is a more streamlined version compared to the original Waypoint. It has no adjustable comb, which reduces weight. Within the carbon fiber, the stock uses aluminum pillars that are machined to match the action’s contour. The pillars ensure that the receiver sits at the right height to guarantee reliable feeding. 

Two flush cups on the left side of the rifle accommodate quick-­detach sling swivels. Placing the sling mounting points on the left side of the rifle lets the flat side sit against the rifleman’s back when carrying slung over the shoulder. This also keeps a sling-swivel stud from protruding out of the stock’s toe where it could impact the shooter’s support hand when firing prone or from the bench. Up front, under the forend’s tip, there are two M-Lok points for attaching a bipod.

The Model 2020 action utilizes two locking lugs on the bolt for a 90-­degree lift that requires less effort. The bolt handle is arched to stay as far away from a mounted optic as possible. The shape did a good job maximizing the distance between the shooter’s hand and a mounted optic when cycling the action. The bolt carries the extractor on the face of the outboard lug, and the plunger-type ejector is found on the lower and opposite side of the bolt face. The bolt stop/release is on the left side of the receiver, just above the stock’s waistline.

The Boundary comes with a TriggerTech Field trigger that adjusts from 21/2 to 5 pounds. There is a small Allen screw on the bottom of the trigger housing just forward of shoe that adjusts pull weight. Remove the barreled action from the stock to access the screw. There is a ball and detent holding the screw, so it clicks when turned. When adjusting the test rifle to as light of a triggerpull as possible, the pull weight measured 2.4 pounds. TriggerTech has a reputation for actually being able to adjust to the published pull weight, as this example demonstrated.

The Boundary is available with two barrel types: A traditional, fluted, stainless-steel barrel or a carbon-fiber barrel with stainless-steel internal liner. G&A’s test rifle had the carbon-fiber model, which maintained Springfield Armory’s .75 MOA accuracy guarantee for three shots. 

The carbon-fiber barrel is made by BSF Barrels, and it is unique in how it’s made. Unlike most carbon-fiber barrels where the carbon and resin are wrapped directly around the steel liner, BSF uses the carbon fiber like a stiff sleeve that only contacts the steel barrel at the ends. The sleeve surrounds the steel liner, but leaves a small gap through which air can flow. The sleeve is slightly longer than the barrel, so it provides tension for the steel. The limited number of BSF barrels G&A has tested, as of this review, has indicated the tensioning strategy works. G&A’s test rifle shot exceptionally well, even when it wasn’t allowed to cool.

At the Range

The lighter the contour of a barrel, the faster a barrel heats up. It occurs because the stainless steel in the barrel absorbs the heat from firing. The less steel in the barrel, the hotter the barrel gets. As barrels heat, group sizes increase. BSF’s counter to accuracy loss through heat accumulation is the tension placed on the barrel by the carbon-fiber sleeve. When put through G&A’s accuracy and function protocols, the Boundary shot well. Since this is a hunting rifle, though, three-­shot groups would typically be the order. However, it shot so well that we tested it with the five-­shot standard of tactical and precision target rifles. 

During accuracy testing, the Boundary showed a preference for Federal Gold Medal CenterStrike ammunition. Using the 140-grain load, a .22-­inch three-­shot group and a .9-­inch 10-­shot group were recorded when fired in less than a minute. Of course, there is no scenario where a hunting rifle would ever need to shoot 10 shots rapidly, but the barrel withstood the generated heat. The tensioning premise holds merit.

The Model 2020 Boundary is a well-­balanced approach to a contemporary hunting rifle. The action feeds and extracts reliably and easily. The stock design is a good fit for sporting use, and the barrel is plenty accurate. For those looking for a premium hunting rifle, one with a floorplate instead of a detachable box magazine, the Boundary fits that criteria remarkably. 

Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary

• Type: Bolt action
• Cartridge: 6.5 Creedmoor (tested)
• Capacity: 4+1 rds.
• Barrel: 22 in. , 1:8-­in. twist
• Overall Length: 43 in.
• Weight: 6 lbs., 13 oz.
• Stock: AG Composites, carbon fiber
• Length of Pull: 13.75 in.
• Finish: Matte blue (stainless steel)
• Trigger: 2 lbs., 6 oz. (adjustable)
• Sights: None
• MSRP: $2,600
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory, 800-­680-­6866, springfield-­armory.com

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