Pursuing the American Pronghorn Antelope is one of my favorite big game endeavors. Doing so with a new rifle designed for top performance in the field makes the hunt all the better. Springfield recently released a brand new rifle that is sure to catch the eye of any big game hunter and will no doubt set a high “Boundary” for years to come.
Enter the Model 2020 Boundary family of bolt action rifles just released as of August 1, 2024. This new rifle from Springfield Armory provides a streamlined carbon fiber stock and lots of features ideal for hunting. The Boundary is built on the custom-grade Model 2020 action and is available in long and short action configurations backed by a .75 MOA guarantee. Getting this rifle in my hands for a fall big game hunt in the southwestern US was a real treat.
Overview of the Springfield Boundary
Trigger
The trigger without any doubt is critical to accurate shooting and can deter or enhance the shooter’s ability to make good shots. The Boundary comes stock with a TriggerTech field trigger. I found this trigger to be crisp and in the three-pound range right of the box. However, it is adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds and offers a patented free-floating roller, ensuring a consistent pull with every shot.
Action
The Boundary action offers several features, including a low-profile bolt stop that’s independent of the trigger, a removeable bolt-handle knob along with attractive spiral fluting on the bolt itself. The push-feed action offers two lugs, with a plunger-style ejector, and the extractor is found within the face of one of the lugs. The bolt disassembles easily without tools.
The action is offered in both short and long-action variants and is a Remington 700 footprint, thereby it will fit stocks and accept triggers designed for the 700. The platform is housed in an AG Composites Sportsman stock that is a classic-style hunting stock.
The Boundary feeds from an internal magazine, and there’s a hinged floor plate to allow for easy unloading. I like an internal magazine on a hunting rifle, it gives the rifle a cleaner, more streamlined appearance.
The action is compatible with Remington 700 rails and scope bases, and the rifle ships with a 15-slot Picatinny scope rail installed.
Barrel Options
The Boundary is available with either a carbon fiber or traditional fluted stainless steel free-floated barrel. The BSF manufactured barrel of the Model 2020 Boundary is jacketed in a roll-wrapped carbon fiber sleeve and loaded under tension. According to BSF, this means 95 percent of the carbon fiber sleeve doesn’t contact the barrel. In turn this provides cooling air gaps and promotes consistent point of impact during shot strings. Additionally, fluting under the sleeve reduces weight and increases surface cooling area.
Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary Specs and Features:
- Type:Bolt-Action with lightweight aluminum hinged floor plate
- Calibers:5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC (tested), .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag., 7mm Rem. Mag., 7 PRC
- Capacity:3-round internal
- Barrel:24 in. (tested), with Radial muzzle brake, BSF jacketed carbon fiber or fluted stainless steel
- Overall Length:46 in.
- Weight:7 lb. (tested)
- Stock:AG Composites carbon fiber, rogue camo with front and rear QD cups for sling attachment. Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad
- Trigger:TriggerTech (adjustable from 2.5-5 lbs.)
- Sights:Picatinny rail
- MSRP:$2,175-$2,600
On the Range
The rifle in my hands is the Springfield Boundary in 6.5 PRC with Carbon Fiber barrel topped with a Leupold VX-6 HD, 3-18×44 scope. This scope is second focal plane with an illuminated FireDot duplex reticle. I tested two loads courtesy of Hornady Manufacturing. First, Hornady Precision Hunter, 6.5 PRC, 143gr ELD-X. Second, Hornady Match, 6.5 PRC, 147gr ELD Match.
With limited ammo on hand and the pronghorn hunt fast approaching I elected to utilize three-shot groups for testing rather than five-shot which is more realistic to hunting conditions anyway. As one might guess, both of these Hornady loads grouped under 1 MOA at 100 yards. However, for me the Precision Hunter 143gr ELD-X came out on top placing three shots in a dime-sized hole at 100 yards. This made the decision for which ammo to use for my hunt simple.
Making hits on steel at the range was quite easy with a 200 yard zero and using basic hold overs out to 550 yards. The 6.5 PRC Hornady Precision Hunter cartridge is fast (2960 fps at the muzzle) with wonderful accuracy in the Springfield Boundary.
Hornady Precision Hunter Provided Dime-Sized Groupings
Hunting with the Boundary
My pronghorn hunt began in southeastern New Mexico in late September of 2024. Conditions were still hot and dry in the hunt region. However, pronghorn in the area appeared to be in good condition and I even spotted several does with this year’s fawns.
Having made several scouting trips to this area of New Mexico, it was not long before I was spotting good bucks. I soon found myself out on foot to attempt a stalk on a nice buck that was accompanied by eight or ten does. This makes a stalk all the more difficult with so many sets of eyes watching for danger.
One feature I immediately realized about the Boundary was the QD sling attachment on the side of the rear stock that made the rifle so easy to carry muzzle down. The light weight of this rifle while out on foot in a crouched over position was also appreciated. And crouched over I was for about an hour covering a half mile through the desert trying to close the distance. But as I mentioned, so many eyes and sparse cover resulted in pronghorn heading out for parts unknown.
Moving to another area of the ranch I soon rediscovered a buck I had last seen back in early July when scouting. His hooks on top curved almost straight back instead of inward and his horns were heavy with good prongs. I estimated he would be in the 16-inch class. No need to think twice on this buck.
The buck was very focused on does that were across the fence in the area I was hunting. A good thing because where he currently standing was out of my hunt area. Before long however he found a way onto my side of the fence and headed straight for his harem. Once there he slowed and stopped.
I was already in a stable shooting position and estimated the range around 225 to 250 yards. Essentially that’s a chip shot for the Boundary if I did my part. Finding the crosshairs through the Leupold (with FireDot on) they settled just behind the right shoulder and I pressed the trigger after a deep breath to settle my nerves. At the shot the buck turned to his left, stepped a few yards, and was down.
The 143gr ELD-X bullet from Hornady had done its job well. The velocity of the 6.5PRC had taken the bullet through the antelope and out the other side. The results were almost instant, and certainly clean and ethical. The buck was more than I had hoped for and as always, I gave pause to respect and appreciate this speedster of the prairie.
The Springfield Boundary performed wonderfully as did the Hornady Precision Hunter ammo along with the Leupold optic. The Model 2020 Boundary is well worth a look for any dedicated hunter looking for a quality, accurate, and well-built rifle.
Fall and hunting season have only just begun and I think I see another excursion with the Springfield Boundary in 6.5PRC in my future. Stay Tuned
To locate a dealer near you visit www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder
About the Author:
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.