Review: 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint

Working in the firearms industry and reviewing shooting gear offers a front-row seat to the cutting edge of gun-related tech and trends. And while some categories, such as optics, chronographs and suppressors seem to advance in leaps and bounds, other products progress through an unassuming procession of modest refinement. New materials, enhanced ergonomics, and original combinations of pre-existing features and components denote new generations of long-trusted designs.

For proof of my supposition, look no than the ubiquitous bolt-action rifle.

The Model 2020 Waypoint in 7mm PRC offers hunters an all-around bolt-action rifle capable of handling a wide range of North American game. Image: Carson McDaniel/Springfield Armory

The modern bolt action can trace its roots back nearly 200 years, to 1841 and Prussian arms maker Nicolaus von Dreyse. His military long arm, popularly dubbed the “needle gun” for its lengthy firing pin, was the first bolt-action rifle to feed and fire self-contained metallic cartridges.

Fast forward to today. We live in a time of super materials such as metal alloys and carbon fibers that are lighter, stronger and more heat-resistant than traditional walnut and steel. Too, our ammunition and cartridge ignition systems have come a long way from match cord, mercury fulminate caps, and, yes, “needles.” But upon careful inspection, we can also find many similarities between modern bolt-action rifles and Dreyse’s original military arm.

A detailed view of the Springfield Model 2020 Waypoint demonstrating its field-ready configuration for varied North American hunting applications. The 7mm PRC cartridge remains viable from 50 to 500 yards. Model 2020 Waypoints feature weatherproof Cerakote finish protection. Elk and moose hunting demands robust rifle construction. Springfield Armory designs rifles for serious backcountry pursuits. The Waypoint's carbon fiber stock resists environmental damage. Powerful cartridges enable ethical harvests at extended distances. The 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint handles grizzly encounters confidently. Versatile hunting rifles eliminate the need for multiple firearms. — Topped off with a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm riflescope with illuminated Firedot Duplex reticle, the author’s Waypoint is ready for the field. Image: Carson McDaniel/Springfield Armory

Bolt-action rifles remain the most popular style of sporting gun in the world. They have proven to be accurate, robust, dependable and powerful. They are also eminently configurable for specific pursuits through the selection of appropriate chamberings, optics and other features.

I’m sure you can guess that if I could only have one firearm for North American hunting, it would indeed be a bolt-action rifle. But in a world of so many choices, what features am I looking for, and what model would I choose?

Non-Negotiables & Nice-to-Haves

We all build biases and preferences based on experience, as well as requirements derived from the intended quarry and terrain. In a one gun for North America scenario, I’m setting my sights on big game ranging from whitetail deer to elk and moose. I also need it to be capable of taking a grizz, in a pinch.

That game consideration eliminates, in my mind, almost all non-magnum cartridges, as well as those that tend to use bullets weighing less than 150 or 160 grains. I love my 6.5 Creedmoors, but I want more power and energy potential. The beloved .308 Winchester is also out. Sure, it’s capable of carrying a heavier payload, but its default loadings are a little light for my taste, and the cartridge’s case capacity restricts its potential. Ultimately, I’m looking for a cartridge that is both powerful and versatile.

7mm PRC ammunition cartridges displayed showing the modern bottleneck magnum case design and polymer-tipped projectiles used for precision hunting. The 7mm PRC delivers exceptional long-range hunting performance. Modern cartridge designs emphasize aerodynamic bullet performance. Springfield chambers the Model 2020 Waypoint in 7mm PRC. Effective range extends beyond 500 yards with proper ammunition. The 7mm PRC uses 175-grain bullets for optimal penetration. Magnum cartridges provide flatter trajectories than standard chamberings. The 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint combination ensures ethical harvests. Factory ammunition availability supports the PRC's growing popularity. — The 7mm PRC cartridge is a highly effective cartridge that can easily be effective on game out to 500 yards.

Other requirements include a means for easily mounting optics, and swapping scopes if needed. In my mind this is Picatinny rail, as opposed to a make- or model-specific mount and ring combination. An excellent trigger is also a must. It doesn’t need to be featherlight, but it should be smooth and reliable. Finally, this rifle could see terrain ranging from dense woodland to the West’s wide-open plains. It may be carried from the truck to the tree stand, or many miles up and down mountains. Therefore, it should present a trim, portable package, and its construction should be robust and weatherproof.

While not required, there are additional features I would prefer to see. The first is a detachable magazine, preferably with standardized dimensions. In my experience, this set-up makes ammunition management easier than with internal magazines, and it’s a good idea to have at least a couple spares stashed away in case of loss or damage.

I also prefer a threaded barrel that can easily mount a suppressor. I’ve been hunting suppressed for years and greatly prefer it. Not only is a suppressed shot far safer for my hearing, but it is much easier to hear a hit when your ears aren’t plugged — or ringing. And, lastly, I like a stock that offers enhanced ergonomics and ample sling and support mounting options compared to traditional American sporters. Nothing beats the aesthetic of classic walnut and a sleek, straight comb, but shooting tools and techniques have evolved to improve stability and accuracy, and I’m here for it.

Model 2020 Waypoint

One rifle that ticks all the boxes is the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint chambered for 7mm PRC. I love a speedy 7 mil, and the PRC’s continuing rise in popularity and availability have cemented its place as my go-to North American (and beyond) hunting cartridge. I’ve used it with great success on deer, elk and moose, and it’d be tough for anyone to argue against the hunting efficacy of a designed-for-precision cartridge launching 175-gr. bullets at nearly 2,900 feet per second (fps). It’s a cartridge that is as viable at 500 yards as it is at 50, and the recoil is significantly less than comparable .30-cal. magnums.

Featuring a Model 700 pattern, the Model 2020 receiver is drilled and tapped for Remington-pattern scope rings and bases and comes standard with a Picatinny optics rail installed. For its trigger, Springfield includes a TriggerTech Field model in its Waypoints. User adjustable for a pull weight between 2.5 and 5 lbs. and featuring a wide trigger shoe, TriggerTechs are acclaimed for their clean travel, crisp break and overall durability. My rifle’s trigger came set at 4 lbs., 4 oz., according to my Lyman digital gauge, and offered an enviable shooting experience. Still, following TriggerTech’s instructions, I was able to reduce that by a pound with just a couple rotations of an Allen wrench.

The Springfield Waypoint rifle displayed emphasizing its all-purpose design elements including threaded barrel and modern stock architecture. One-rifle solutions require careful cartridge and platform selection. The Model 2020 Waypoint accommodates various hunting conditions effectively. Big game rifles must deliver both power and precision. Springfield's 7mm PRC offering balances energy with manageable recoil. Hunters benefit from rifles capable of multiple game species. The Waypoint system provides suppressor compatibility for hearing protection. The 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint performs in woodland and open terrain. Quality bolt-action platforms serve hunters for decades. — Springfield built the Model 2020 Waypoint for hunters who refuse to compromise on capability. The 7mm PRC gives you flat trajectory and serious energy downrange.

Springfield’s Model 2020 Waypoint line-up offers a variety of configurations, and customers need to make some selections to home in on their preferred model. First, the barrel. Two options are available for most chamberings, either a fluted stainless-steel barrel or a carbon fiber barrel which features a stainless-steel inner liner supported and tensioned by a carbon fiber outer wrap. Both are threaded 5/8×24 — meeting my requirement for suppressor compatibility — and come standard with Springfield’s radial muzzle brake. I opted for the carbon fiber barrel to save several ounces of overall weight. In 7mm PRC, it’s a 24” barrel with a 1:8 rifling twist rate.

Stock configuration and finish is another selection that must be made. All the Waypoint stocks are constructed from carbon fiber by AG Composites. They offer a modernized profile and include advancements derived from competition circuits such as the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and NRL Hunter matches. Evolutions include raised combs, vertical pistol grips, flat-bottomed forends, and plenty of places to attach bipods, slings and other accessories.

A box of Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm PRC ammunition featuring 175-grain ELD-X bullets designed for long-range hunting applications. Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition achieves excellent accuracy in bolt-action rifles. The 175-grain ELD-X bullet provides optimal terminal performance. Springfield's Model 2020 Waypoint shot 0.61-inch groups with this load. Extremely Low Drag bullets maintain velocity at extended distances. The 7mm PRC generates 2,803 fps with Precision Hunter ammunition. Factory hunting loads now rival handload accuracy standards. The 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint pairs perfectly with Hornady ammunition. ELD-X projectiles expand reliably on elk and moose. — Hornady’s Precision Hunter load with 175-gr. ELD-X bullets proved exceptionally accurate in testing. This ammunition consistently delivered sub-MOA groups and has accounted for elk and moose in real hunting scenarios.

Springfield Armory offers Model 2020s with or without an adjustable comb, and in two custom painted camouflage patterns: Ridgeline, with brown, tan, and gray splotches; or the green, tan, and gray Evergreen finish. I personally prefer Ridgeline, though both patterns look great, and I selected the non-adjustable stock, which saves about 9 oz. of overall weight.

The exact model I selected for my one gun to rely on is cataloged as “Model 2020 Waypoint 7mm PRC Rifle w/ Carbon Fiber Barrel — Ridgeline.” Before adding a scope, it tips the scale at 7 lbs., 5 oz., and measures 46” from tip to tail. To me, this is a sweet spot as it’s not too light for shooting — and especially practicing with — the 7mm cartridge, but it’s not too heavy for backcountry excursions. And, yes, it feeds metal AICS-pattern detachable box magazines. My Model 2020 included Accurate-Mag’s .300 Win. Mag. magazine unit, 3.850-inch cartridge overall length, which holds and feeds three rounds of 7mm PRC without issue.

Specifications

Chambering	7mm PRC (tested)
Barrel	24″
Weight	7 lbs., 5 oz. (rifle only)
Overall Length	46″
Sights	Picatinny rail
Stock	Carbon fiber
Action	Model 2020
Finish	Cerakote
Capacity	3 (one magazine)
MSRP	$2,295

Range & Field Ready

One additional consideration with any modern bolt-action is the selection of an appropriate riflescope. In these deliberations, I weigh both the cartridge’s capability and the intended pursuit. So, while an argument could be made that 7mm PRC is a 1,000-yard-plus cartridge and I ought to throw as much glass on top as possible, the agenda for this build is a North American game getter, and ethically killing an animal requires a different mentality than ringing steel on the far horizon.

A target displaying tight shot groups alongside Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm PRC ammunition demonstrating the accuracy achieved with the Springfield Model 2020 Waypoint rifle. The Model 2020 Waypoint produces sub-MOA accuracy with factory ammunition. Hornady Precision Hunter 175-grain loads averaged 0.70-inch group sizes. Springfield guarantees 0.75 MOA accuracy from Waypoint rifles. The 7mm PRC cartridge delivers exceptional precision potential. Benchrest-quality groups prove rifle and ammunition combination effectiveness. The best three-shot group measured just 0.61 inches. The 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint exceeds accuracy expectations. Quality factory ammunition eliminates handloading requirements for hunters. — The proof is in the targets — this Waypoint consistently printed sub-MOA groups with Hornady Precision Hunter.

I’ve come to prefer Leupold’s VX-5HD 3-15x44mm riflescope with the illuminated Firedot Duplex reticle. It offers plenty of magnification for extended shots in the hunting field but can also be dialed down for opportunities in close cover. The illuminated reticle isn’t a must-have for me, but I find it to be a significant advantage when pursuing dark-furred game.

A shooter positioned behind the Springfield Model 2020 Waypoint rifle at the range demonstrating proper shooting form with the modernized stock ergonomics. The Model 2020 Waypoint features enhanced ergonomic design elements. AG Composites stocks provide raised combs for optic alignment. The 7mm PRC generates manageable recoil for extended shooting sessions. Springfield's Waypoint platform encourages proper shooting technique naturally. Vertical pistol grips improve trigger control and stability. The author tested the rifle extensively before field deployment. The 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint suits shooters of varying experience levels. Practice with hunting rifles builds proficiency for ethical shots. — The Waypoint’s good ergonomics and manageable recoil make it easy to shoot well.

For the price of around $1,300, it offers premium glass, Leupold’s refined controls including side-focus adjustments and zero-stop capability, and the option to take advantage of the company’s custom dial system. In my opinion, it’s one of the best values on the market, and adds less than a pound-and-a-half, rings included, to my rifle’s overall weight.

On the range, I tested the Model 2020 Waypoint with three 7mm PRC hunting loads: Federal Fusion Tipped 175-gr. PTB, Hornady Outfitter 160-gr. CX, and Hornady Precision Hunter 175-gr. ELD-X. Not surprisingly, the rifle loved the heavier loads, and both easily outshot Springfield’s .75 MOA accuracy guarantee. In a best-of-three-groups shootout, the Federal load just edged out Hornady’s Precision Hunter, though I doubt any hunter or game animal could have discerned the difference.

A shooting target displaying tight shot groups next to Federal Fusion Tipped 7mm PRC ammunition demonstrating exceptional accuracy from the Springfield Waypoint rifle. Federal Fusion Tipped 175-grain loads produced 0.58-inch best groups. The Model 2020 Waypoint achieved an average group size of 0.65 inches with Federal ammunition. Springfield's accuracy guarantee stands at 0.75 MOA for factory rifles. The 7mm PRC generates 2,880 fps with Federal's bonded bullet design. Polymer-tipped bonded projectiles ensure reliable expansion and weight retention. Multiple ammunition brands shoot accurately in quality rifle platforms. The 7mm PRC Model 2020 Waypoint performs consistently across ammunition types. Sub-MOA accuracy validates premium hunting rifle investments. — The author was getting groups so tight with off-the-shelf ammunition, it seemed like he was using tuned handloads.

Hornady’s Outfitter load, with its lighter Copper allow eXpanding (CX) bullet also posted very respectable groups. I should note, though, I did not follow any strict maintenance regimes, as some would suggest, to prepare for the non-lead projectiles. For tests like this, I prefer to put all the ammunition on an even footing, fouling the barrel with some familiarization fire and while zeroing the optic, and proceeding through testing with only a quick bore check between loads. Still, I am a fan of having a copper-based option in my ammo box. Bullets like the CX tend to remain intact and retain their weight after impact, making them excellent penetrators. Too, as some locales restrict the use of lead-based bullets, copper alloy offerings may be a requirement.

Conclusion

I’m exceptionally confident in the capabilities of the 7mm PRC cartridge, and I’ve successfully hunted Montana elk and British Columbia moose with Hornady’s Precision Hunter Outfitter loads, respectively. Pairing that proven performance with the accuracy and feature set of Springfield Armory’s Model 2020 Waypoint bolt-action rifle and Leupold’s VX-5HD scope yields a premium package I would confidently rely on to hunt anything in North America. Looks like I have my “one gun to rely on.” Could it be yours?

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