Springfield Armory provided a loaner gun to the author for this review.
You know, one with traditional lines and classic styling, but with something new to offer.
Well, I recently had that wish come true when a long box turned up at my local gun-shop.
The new Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary is a winner according to the author. It blends classic style with modern features. Image: Max Jacobsen
Inside was a heavy black soft case, the kind Springfield Armory ships.
However, its 2020 tag threw me, though; my wish was for anewrifle.
But indeed, it was.
The Springfield Model 2020 Boundary might make the perfect hunting rifle. It’s easy to carry in the field, readily accepts a sound suppressor and is extremely accurate. Image: Max Jacobsen
The Boundary has the same bones as the Waypoint a good thing, because theyre good bones.
Not that youll wish upgrades.
Like the Waypoint, the Boundary features a hand-laid, pillar-bedded, carbon-fiber stock.
The Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary bolt-action rifle can be had with a fluted stainless steel or a lightweight carbon fiber barrel (shown).
The stainless receiver has an integral recoil lug.
A TriggerTech trigger adjusts externally down to 212 lbs.
if you so desire.
The 2020 Boundary has an internal magazine with a hinged floorplate and is offered in seven chamberings. Image: Max Jacobsen
A lock time of just 1.9 milliseconds helps you hit where youre looking as the trigger breaks.
The two-detent side safety permits cycling when its on.
Dual cocking cams help with bolt lift.
Every Springfield Armory Boundary rifle comes with the SA Radial Brake and a thread protector. A suppressor can also be used.
The bolt disassembles easily without tools.
Like the receiver, it is machinedafterheat-treating to ensure finished dimensions match specs.
The receiver, bottom metal, barrel shank and brake are Cerakoted.
Springfield Armory offers the Boundary hunting rifle chambered for many popular short-action and long-action chamberings including .308 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag. Image: Max Jacobsen
A 6 Picatinny rail accommodates scopes.
Mag., 7mm PRC, .300 Win.
The .308s barrels are 20 long, the 6.5 CMs 22.
A 6″ Picatinny-type rail allows you to easily mount a scope onto the Model 2020 Boundary rifle. Image: Jeremy Tremp
Springfield settled on 24 for all the others.
[Be sure to read our articleWhat Is 6.5 Creedmoor?for additional information on that cartridge.]
The radial brakes, on 5/8-24 threads, are removable.
The Boundary’s comb aligned the author’s eye quickly and naturally and works well with scopes in low or medium rings.
Rifling twists stabilize long, ballistically efficient bullets.
Each carbon fiber-barrel has a stainless core in a roll-wrapped carbon-fiber sleeve loaded under tension.
Almost the entire length of the sleeve is free of the core, the gap conducting heat away.
The Springfield Boundary rifle has a pear-shaped bolt knob that is removable. The stock has a buttpad and a traditional grip that makes it comfortable to carry and fast pointing.
Fluting under the sleeve trims weight and speeds cooling.
Diverging Point?
But there are differences between these 2020s.
Nicely shaped to follow the trigger’s curve, the Boundary’s triggerguard bow also includes the floorplate release. Image: Jeremy Tremp
First: magazines and stocks.
The Boundary has an internal magazine, its hinged steel floorplate secured by a guard-bow latch.
For hunting, I personally much prefer it to the Waypoints detachable single-stack box that protrudes 134.
A scope such as the Leupold VX-6HD 3-18×44 scope pairs well with the Model 2020 Boundary. Image: Jeremy Tremp
The Boundary has a trimmer buttstock, smoothly ovoid in cross-section (the Waypoints has six angles).
The straight comb is more slender, though well-rounded and supportive.
It has no cheekpiece.
The Boundary drilled half-inch knots with several loads, easily beating the .75 MOA accuracy guarantee.
It naturally aligns my eye with scopes in low and medium rings.
Theres no comb nose cut-out to allow for bolt removal, as the bolt clears the nose easily.
The Boundarys fore-stock is trimmer and less angular in cross-section, also 2 shorter than the Waypoints.
Springfield’s Boundary bolt-action hunting rifle drilled this tight group with this Fiocchi load that used middle-weight Swift Scirocco bullets.
The Boundarys stock is finished in whats described as Rogue camo.
Its attractive; but so are the other finishes on Waypoint stocks.
Other disparities: The Boundarys detachable bolt knob is smoothly pear-shaped and a tad shorter.
The Springfield Armory Boundary rifle is suitable for most any hunting challenge you can throw at it. According to the author, “It’s a lot of rifle for the money.” Image: Jeremy Tremp
These changes may seem small; to my eye theyre cosmetic improvements.
For me, blocky is good if youre building a guard-house; not so shaping a guard bow.
If unnecessary angles were beautiful, Porsche Roadsters would have had them by now.
I like the Boundarys dimensions and balance.
It points naturally and absorbs the shock of firing well.
The trigger arrived with a clean break just shy of 4 lbs.
exactly the same as on my Waypoint in 6mm CM.
Adjustment, should I want it, is easy.
Springfield has a winner in the 2020s push-feed action.
Bolt travel is piston-slick, with almost no rattle.
Theres negligible end play at full retraction.
From both the Waypoints AICS and the Boundarys internal box, cartridges slide seamlessly up and in.
While the ejection port isnt huge, top-loading with single cartridges is easy.
The bolt-face extractor is stronger than the Mauser faithful might assume.
The face angle makes for easy push-feed engagement.
A peppy plunger ejector boots from 4 oclock.
Model 2020 Boundary Specifications
Time Spent on the Shooting Range
How does the Boundary shoot?
But I wanted even better.
Evidently, the barrel likes to send bullets, as groups tightened during our range session.
This is excellent accuracy for a 612-lb.
sporter fed a variety of commercial loads!
Shooting Performance
Final Thoughts on the Boundary Bolt-Action Rifle
Im certainly pleased with the Boundary.
Surely other hunters will give it high ratings in regards to function, accuracy, balance and pointing qualities.
Its profile makes it more trail-worthy than the Waypoint, which isnt as easy to cradle.
Its light weight suits it to long treks in steep places, weighing from 6 lbs., 10 oz.
at the lightest up to just 7 lbs., 2 oz.
And with the .308 and 6.5 chamberings, you have even more options.
Springfield has done itself proud with this hunting rifle!
Magazine capacity is four in rifles bored to .308 and 6.5 CM, three in all the others.
But, I might just be nit-picking here.
I guess I should have mentioned these things in my first wish … .
