I don’t know if there’s a extra satisfying sound than the tinny ding of a 40-grain .22 bullet hitting metal past 200 yards.
It will probably appear magic, ringing targets to this point out that the time lag between snappy report and cheerful hit affirmation typically permits me to sip espresso. This expertise is changing into extra widespread as center-fire goal shooters commerce their chassis rigs for rimfires, getting in additional apply in numerous venues and seasons. The rise of Precision Rifle Sequence rimfire divisions is fueling a renaissance in goal .22s, however there’s additionally a broader rediscovery of the fun of capturing inexpensive, correct, and low-noise and light-recoiling rimfires.
Springfield Armory’s 2020 Rimfire, launched similtaneously its 2020 center-fire mannequin, is the perfect of a brand new class of what may very well be known as adult-onset .22s, versatile shooters for any age and recreation, however with the load, heft, and dimensions of a big-game rifle.
The Springfield has the additional benefit of being comparatively inexpensive, with black polymer variations beginning at $434 and snazzy coyote-brown, OD-green, and sage shares, all with black webbing, retailing for round $500. 4 grades of traditional walnut inventory vary in worth from $529 to $1,099.
BIG-GAME CONTROLS
I examined the olive-drab inexperienced model of the 2020 Rimfire as one in every of my arsenal of precision rimfires that function slave rifles for my optics testing. After I wring out a rifle scope, I put between 120 and 300 rounds by a rifle, to check turret monitoring, reticle precision, and confirm the scope’s magnification. Within the previous days, that was a whole lot of .308 recoil per scope, however I’ve transitioned to precision rimfires and might shoot all day with out getting flinchy or concussed.
I gravitate towards .22 trainers with built-in Picatinny rails that allow straightforward and quick scope-swapping, glorious triggers, suppressor-ready threaded muzzles, and target-contour barrels. The Springfield delivers all these attributes however provides just a few extra key options.
The target-pattern inventory has a excessive comb to make sure a stable cheek weld even with high-profile scopes. The straight grip ensures stable set off engagement, and the palm swell is hand-filling and cozy. A drop on the heel permits me to comfortable the inventory when capturing off a assist.
The motion options twin cocking cams for sturdy lock-up and simple operation, a hardened chrome bolt that is still slick and fluid even after prolonged capturing classes, and a 60-degree bolt throw that’s straightforward to run. Shooters can commerce out the bolt knob for aftermarket variations. The interrupted Pic rail accommodates nearly any optic or mount, and the 20-inch threaded barrel (1:16 twist) is free-floated with a 1/2×28 thread pitch for suppressors or different muzzle units.
Springfield Armory added an adjustable Remington 700-pattern set off group to the 2020, a rarity at this worth level.
The set off is factory-set at 4.5 kilos, which is good for my makes use of, although if I had been going to compete with the 2020 Rimfire, I’d in all probability flip it all the way down to about 3 kilos. The rifle accepts any 10-round rotary mags, and is cross-compatible with Ruger’s 10/22-pattern magazines. Extra magazines can be found from Springfield for $24.95.
The Springfield’s prolonged journal launch is simple to make use of, even with gloves, however is tight and constructive to make sure that shooters received’t inadvertently drop mags on the fly.
It is a pretty heavy rimfire at 7 kilos, 7 ounces, however its weight and steadiness match most center-fire rifles, making the 2020 Rimfire a wonderful coaching gun for hunters searching for set off time earlier than a big-game hunt.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 2020 PERFORMANCE
I put all my optics-testing rimfires by a rigorous vary session earlier than urgent them into service to make sure that any deviations I see in scope efficiency come up from the optic and never the rifle. My protocol is to shoot 20-round teams with quite a lot of hundreds at 25 yards, and the Springfield posted the second-best accuracy of my arsenal (solely the Bergara BMR-X shot higher). The Springfield favored CCI’s Commonplace Velocity 40-grain hundreds finest, nevertheless it additionally shot CCI’s Clear-22 hundreds extraordinarily properly, particularly by a suppressor.
Clearly, accuracy measured at 25 yards will decide accuracy past 100 yards, however this rifle appears to get higher the farther it shoots. That’s a perform of its match, really feel, steadiness, and dealing with, in fact, but in addition its geometry. With a precision optic mounted on its impartial rail, I can both maintain or dial for elevation and keep in my scope no matter magnification because of the inventory contour.
Many rimfires, particularly sporter variations with lower-profile shares, are exhausting to shoot at distance as a result of they require shooters to return off the comb and maintain their head unsupported behind the scope.
The 2020’s sq. fore finish additionally sits properly on luggage on the bench or on a pack or capturing sticks within the area. The 13.45-inch size of pull is ideal for my medium construct, nevertheless it is likely to be a bit lengthy for teenagers and a tag quick for large-framed shooters.
I haven’t shot the 2020 sporter variants, which have slimmer barrel profiles and traditional low-comb shares. However provided that they share metalwork with the goal variations, I’d guess they’ll shoot simply as properly and are higher configured for the sphere.
Springfield Armory sells the sporter model in a primary black or 4 variations of walnut, starting from a satin-finished mannequin to a few grades of Turkish walnut. The AAA model is among the most good-looking rimfires available on the market, and at $1,099 is a good worth for an heirloom-grade rifle.
SPECIFICATIONS
Mannequin: Springfield Armory 2020 Rimfire (BART92022GBW)
Caliber: .22 LR
Motion: Bolt-action
Barrel: matte, blued with 1:16 twist, threaded muzzle with 1/2×28 thread pitch. Straight taper contour for goal variations, #1 contour for sporter variations
Receiver: Spherical 1.14” diameter, matte blued
Inventory: Strengthened polymer in goal variations, both Turkish walnut or black polymer in sporter variations
Barrel Size: 20 in.
Total Size: 38 in.
Weight: 7.4 lbs.
MSRP: $499 for artificial goal variations, $529-$1,099 for walnut sporter variations, relying on grade
