The firearm is impressive with its Grayboe Trekker stock, carbon fiber barrel and accuracy guarantee.
But, how does it perform in the backcountry?
Does the Model 2020 action deliver?
With its lightweight 20” barrel and 6.5 CM chambering, this Model 2020 Redline makes for a great suppressor-ready rifle for the field. Image: Jeremy Tremp
Read on to get Woolleys full take on the gun.
Springfield provided a loaner gun to the author for this review.
How many times have we watched life turn an interesting intellectual exercise into an actual real-world requirement?
The Model 2020 Redline offers shooters a compact and handy bolt-action rifle that is both powerful and portable.
I myself have indulged in numerous what if games just to pass the time.
Great hypothetical situation, right?
The first ones self-defense-oriented role and purpose should be obvious.
The Redline employs AICS-pattern detachable magazines that are flush-fitting and hold three rounds of 6.5 CM. Image: Jeremy Tremp
But what about that second one?
In this situation, a rifle could serve two roles.
Clearly, it could act as a means of personal defense.
The Springfield Armory Model 2020 Redline tested by the author comes with a Grayboe Trekker stock.
But, it also could be used as a hunting rifle to acquire food.
I wanted sufficient energy and some extra firepower.
However, the 6.5 Creedmoor recently caught my eye.
The Redline features a TriggerTech adjustable trigger that can be adjusted from 2.5 lbs. up to 5 lbs. Image: Jeremy Tremp
Though not perfect for everything (what is?
), it does many things very well, leaving it as my pick for an all-around rifle cartridge.
Yours may be different and still be just as correct.
The author ran three loads through the rifle, with and without a suppressor, and got extremely good results. Image: Author
The platform is just as important, if not more so.
I may have finally found my answer in a rifle from Springfield Armory.
Both rifles were superbly accurate, and built with a little weight to help hold down recoil a bit.
I selected a 20 6.5 CM.
A Backcountry Rifle
Two trends seem to be guiding the design of the latest generation of rifles.
Mountain rifles, like those produced by the late Melvin Forbes, have been available for a generation now.
They are also very expensive and difficult to obtain.
The second trend is all about the expansion of the use of suppressors.
Accordingly, many manufacturers are building their rifles with shorter barrels.
Details of the Lightweight Hunting Rifle
Springfield Armory starts its new Redline rifle with a stainless-steel receiver.
Additionally, the bolt can be easily disassembled without tools for cleaning.
The rifles two-lugged bolt is fluted, helping cut weight.
It employs a spring-loaded, plunger-style ejector and a sliding plate extractor.
Dual cocking cams lighten the effort required to operate the bolt, as does an oversized bolt handle.
The bolt knob is threaded and can be changed out as desired.
Topping off the action is a Picatinny rail scope mount.
Springfield then assembled a variety of outstanding parts to complete the rifle.
The Redline uses a Trekker model stock from Grayboe.
If you havent heard of the company, its immediate corporate roots can be traced back to McMillan.
kinda looks they learned their craft well.
It is a minimalist stock, but then it isnt.
The forend extends 9.5 in front of the receiver.
The bottom of the forend is flat, allowing it to sit correctly on bags or bipod.
This gives you immediate visual access to whether or not your rifle is situated correctly.
A really cool feature.
Then there is the buttstock end of the stock.
The wrist is thin and promotes a strong-side thumb placement, again aiding trigger control.
The recoil pad is soft, thick rubber for those slightly more recoil averse.
There are two sling swivel studs on the forend, making attachment of a Harris bipod a snap.
Oh, and the buttstock is hollow.
Springfield Armory matched the barrel up with a TriggerTech adjustable trigger.
This TriggerTech switch is easily adjustable in the field from 2.5 lbs.
Mine started out at 2.45 lbs.
as determined by 10 pulls on our Lyman digital trigger gauge.
My initial testing included three different types of ammo and three different weight projectiles.
I started off with a bargain-priced offering from Aguila loaded with 129-gr.
Interlock bullets from Hornady.
Decades-old technology still averaged .73 inch three-shot groups.
Next came Hornady 140-gr.
ELD Match ammunition and a .66 average.
That was duplicated by Norma 143-gr.
Clearly, this rifle is a shooter.
But there is more to the 6.5 CM.
Our recoil calculator shows that this Redline/ammo combo produces less than 12 ft-lbs.
of free recoil energy in a rifle that weighs about 8 lbs.
Ive been using Bryan Litzs Applied Ballistics mobile tool in hunting and competition situations for years.
When I look up the numbers in his app for the Norma 143-gr.
Energy at the muzzle for a 143-gr.
bullet going 2,651 feet per second (fps) was just over 2,200 ft-lbs.
Many experts tell us that 1,500 ft-lbs.
of energy at the point of impact will do the job on an elk-sized animal, while 1,000 ft-lbs.
should suffice on deer or antelope.
The Norma cartridge in this Redline generates 1,500 ft-lbs.
to about 325 yards and 1,000 ft-lbs.
to about 650 yards ranges that should account for the majority of hunting situations.
Go to forum thread
Model 2020Redline 20"
Aguila Ammunition6.5 Creedmoor 129 gr.
Soft Point
Hornady6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr.
ELD Match
