However, that name is most often associated with storied military firearms and modern self-defense rifles and pistols.
That is, until now.
And this premium American-made firearm represents the companys move into the competitive field of bolt-action hunting rifles.
The new Model 2020 Waypoint from Springfield Armory combines old-fashioned quality with cutting-edge design and materials.
A Modern Classic
Depending on your age, you could call it a hunting rifleoralong-range match rifle.
Old-timers can hardly envision a sporter with the Waypoints hand-laid carbon fiber stock.
On the other hand, even shooters who recall the Truman Doctrine approve light weight.
A carbon fiber stock and available carbon fiber-sleeved barrel helps the rifle be both ruggedly strong and portably light.
The Waypoints stock scales just 1 lb.
15 oz, with a standard comb, and 2 lbs.
with adjustable cheek rest.
The rifle’s left receiver wall has tidy, understated lettering. Action and bottom metal inletting is properly snug.
Its free-floating roller helps ensure smooth release.
A low-profile, two-position safety blocks the trigger but permits bolt manipulation when on.
Springfield also shaved lock time, a critical element in field accuracy.
The Waypoints 1.9-millisecond ignition makes an eye-blink seem glacial.
A spiral-fluted, two-lug bolt glides in raceways electrical discharge machine (EDM) cut in the stainless receiver.
This ensures precise dimensions and slickly smooth surfaces.
Very effective at reducing recoil, the Cerakoted removable SA Radial Muzzle Brake also assists with the balance of the rifle.
The bolt and receiver are machinedafterheat-treating to ensure the dimensions of the finished steel match specifications.
Additionally, the bolt is nitrided for wear and corrosion resistance.
Dual cocking cams boost the bolts already-easy 90-degree lift, and afford tool-free disassembly.
The TriggerTech “Field” trigger is externally adjustable, 2½ to 5 lbs.
The knurled, cylindrical bolt knob is removable.
Receiver, bottom metal, barrel shank and muzzle brake are Cerakoted.
Springfield Armory settled on a detachable AICS-pattern, single-stack magazine, for sure, slick, centerline feeding.
The Waypoint is available in 6mm Creedmoor,6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win. and (tested) 6.5 PRC.
It is securely held but easily released by a latch inside the triggerguard.
All barrels are free-floated and threaded 5/8-24 for the included SA Radial Muzzle Brake.
Fluting under that sleeve trims weight and increases surface cooling area.
The rifle’s smooth, cylindrical knob is replaceable, and the spiral-fluted bolt ran like an oiled piston for Wayne.
The proof of any barrel, however, lies in the measure of shot dispersion.
The Waypoint boasts a .75 MOA guarantee with match-grade factory loads and a skilled shooter.
It has a 24 carbon fiber barrel in 6.5 PRC and a standard stock in Ridgeline finish.
The bolt shank had “just the right sweep” for Wayne. Note the two-position thumb safety and magazine release in the forward portion of the triggerguard.
My 2.5-1045 Leupold cinched to the rail brought weight to an even 8 lbs.
less than a glance might tell you.
The trigger broke at a clean 334 lbs.
Offhand as well as at the bench, Wayne found the vertical grip comfortable and the rifle easy to control.
Hands-On
This rifle balances well.
Its just long enough, the dip to comb just deep enough for my pork-chop hand.
It has a pleasing palm-swell, gentle flare below to keep any hand in position.
Hornady Match loads kept groups well inside the .75-MOA standard Springfield Armory set for the Waypoint.
The forend has a pleasing profile.
Squarish in cross-section, it marries nicely to a rest and to thumb-and-fingers or open-hand support standing.
It has the beginning of a belly up front, to better fit the palm.
The Waypoint’s left-side bolt release is tidy, sleek, finely groovedand well-fitted.
I like its generous length 1234 from the front guard screw.
The stock surface is smooth, with a subtle texture.
It feels better than velvet or sandpaper.
Enlarging bullet holes with the next shot seemed the Waypoint’s habit. This is superb out-of-the-box accuracy.
The stock is closely inletted around receiver and bottom metal, which stands slightly proud.
Its channel lets the barrel float, but without gaps big enough to swallow your car keys.
To my mind, the Waypoints bolt shank has just the right outward sweep.
While Wayne tested a Ridgeline Camo rifle with a standard stock, other options include Evergreen Camo and adjustable stocks (shown here).
It drops nicely in front of my trigger finger.
The cylindrical knob is well proportioned and properly smooth for fast cycling.
The shroud is trim, cleanly shaped.
Vertical in form, the striker protrudes 3/16 when cocked.
No unnecessary bulk or colors back there.
Bolt travel is piston-slick, with almost no rattle.
Theres very little end play at full retraction.
Running this rifle is a delight!
It slurps cartridges seamlessly from the box and is easy to top-feed with single rounds.
The magazine is a cinch to release and easily inserted.
Its secure in the rifle.
Encouraged, it has a little play.
Extraction and ejection are fault-free.
The extractor is inserted through a slot in the center of the right-hand (lower) locking lug.
The claw itself is 6mm wide across most of its face, 5mm at its leading edge.
The face angle makes for easy push-feed engagement.
The Waypoints plunger ejector is peppy and kicks from 4 oclock.
The barrel-diameter SA Radial Muzzle Brake, Cerakoted to match the action, is very effective.
Recoil from Hornadys 6.5 PRC loads thrusting 147-gr.
ELD Match bullets at 2,910 fps hardly bumps my cheek or clavicle.
The Decelerator pad adds its cushion.
The Waypoints crisp trigger also encourages tight groups.
My first three shots, after bore-sighting and two to zero, cut a .62 knot.
I printed some more groups, which measured .63 and .70.
Such accuracy from a rifle that, stripped, scales under 634 lbs.
should c’mon any shooter!
Its also a credit to Hornadys excellent ammunition.
Heck, just execute the bolt, thumb the safety and dry-fire the trigger.
you’ve got the option to do that blind-folded and know youve an exceptional rifle in hand!
In sum, the Waypoint offers features and performance now expected of top-rung multi-purpose rifles, without bleeding budgets.
It should impress hunters as well as shooters scrambling in cross-terrain rifle competition and thumping steel at four-figure distance.
The first new Springfield Armory bolt rifle in a century has impressed me!
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