Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire 70217 22 LR

Shooting 22 LR bolt-action rifles keeps you grounded. They are affordable to shoot often because ammo costs a fraction of what centerfire ammo does and lacks the noise, muzzle blast, and recoil. Not only is shooting a 22 rimfire inexpensive and fun, it also helps build a solid base in rifle-shooting technique, from trigger control and breathing, to judging distance and reading the wind. Three new target-style 22 LR bolt actions that we thought would be fun to shoot were the Springfield Armory 2020 Rimfire, Savage’s B Series TimberLite Thumbhole, and the Hammerli Arms Force B1. All of these rifles were recently introduced and are said to provide performance and accuracy. The common characteristics of these three rimfire rifles are the 22 LR round, manually operated bolt actions, detachable rotary magazines, and they are optic ready. From there, the features start to differ.

How We Tested

For the last few rimfire rifle reviews, we used either a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm rimfire SFP scope ($149) with a simple V-Plex MOA reticle similar to a Duplex reticle and a Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40mm scope ($159), which is equipped with a Rimfire 22 HV reticle for long-distance shooting. We like both of these scopes for their performance and cost. They are just enough scope for plinking and hunting. For optics placement, the Springfield and Hammerli are equipped with Picatinny rails, and the Savage sported a Weaver rail, so mounting the scopes was not a chore. 

After zeroing the rifles at 50 yards, we fired from a bench using a rest and a toe bag to gather accuracy data from three-shot groups. Because Springfield’s 2020 Rimfire has a 1-inch accuracy guarantee for three shots at 50 yards, we used that standard for all the rifles, which was not hard for any of these rifles to achieve with inexpensive and target ammo. We also fired the rifles off hand. Ammunition ranged from inexpensive CCI Blazer with a 38-grain lead round-nose bullet, to target ammo, namely, Remington Target with a 40-grain solid lead bullet and Eley Tenex, likewise loaded with a 40-grain lead bullet and a light lubricant. Here’s what we found. 

Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire 70217 22 LR

$421

Gun Tests grade: A- [best buy]

The 2020 Rimfire rifle is accurate and built for target work, with an ergonomic stock that’s comfortable to shoot in all positions. It is a heavy, adult-size rifle. If you want to shoot small groups with a 22 LR, this is a good option. For the money, the Springfield 2020 is a Best Buy.

*Store.Springfield-Armory.com

**50 yards, three

The Springfield Armory 2020 Rimfire debuted in early 2024 in classic wood-stock variants and polymer-stock target variants that look like a shrunk 2020 Waypoint centerfire rifle. Springfield partnered with Retay Arms in Turkey, which builds the rifle. Springfield touts a 1-inch three-shot guarantee, and we can say the 2020 Rimfire does not disappoint. While the Hammerli Force B1 is loaded with unique features, there is nothing special with the 2020 Rimfire except for it being a simple and easy-to-use 22 LR bolt action with lots of performance and at an affordable price.

Our sample is a polymer-stocked variant with a sage-green finish. The butt is squarish like the 2020 Waypoint rifles, with a wide and flat fore end and a vertical pistol grip with palm swells. We liked the grip because it orients your shooting hand and trigger finger squarely to the trigger for a better rear press. The flat-bottom fore end provides a stable rest when shooting off bags or other supports. The textured stippling on the grip and fore end provide adequate and comfortable gripping surfaces. 

The comb is rather high and offered a very comfortable cheek weld, even with low rings on the scope. There is a rubber pad on the butt with rounded edges that fit our shoulder pocket. Springfield installs sling-swivel studs. There is hardly any flex in this stock. Five ribs are built into the fore end to aid rigidity. You could see a faint seam where the stock molds come together, but there was no need to grab an X-Acto knife to trim the excess.

The bottom metal is plastic with an oversized trigger guard that is glove friendly. The magazine catch is forward of the trigger guard. It feeds from Ruger rotary-style magazines, and swapping magazines is easy and simple. No need to finesse the magazine in or out of the magazine well.

What we liked was the trigger. It is adjustable, but you need to remove the barreled action from the stock. It also uses a Remington Model 700-style trigger, so there are plenty of aftermarket triggers available if you don’t like the factory one. We’d keep the factory trigger. It broke at a crisp 4.5 pounds. Pull-weight range is 4 to 5.5 pounds. If we owned this rifle, we’d dial down the pull weight to an honest 4 pounds. Again, we think an aftermarket trigger would squeeze better accuracy out of the Springfield.

What gives the 2020 Rimfire heft and an adult size feel is the 20-inch heavy-contour barrel that’s threaded at the muzzle. Weight is 7.7 pounds without a scope, which is heavy for a hunting 22, but an asset for a target 22.

The action uses a two-lug bolt, so the bolt lift is 60 degrees, which keeps your fingers away from the scope’s eyepiece. The lugs are also located at the rear of the bolt in lieu of the front. The action has dual cocking surfaces, which spread that effort over two cocking ramps rather than one. Translated, that means the action cycles silky smooth. The bolt also has dual extractors to feed and extract cases, and that makes sense since 22 LR actions get dirty with extended use. A Picatinny rail is mounted across the top of the action via four screws. 

The manual safety is located on the right side and is easily accessible for right-handed shooters. A bolt-release latch is located on the left side and is pressed to remove the bolt.

The Springfield-brand rotary magazine was easy to fill to capacity, and you know how some Ruger rotary-mag clones can be difficult to operate. 

Going hot, we easily confirmed the accuracy guarantee. CCI Blazer ammo had a best group of 0.22 inch and averaged 0.28 inch. Check. Eley Tenex had a best of 0.27 and averaged 0.37. Check. Remington Target passed with a best of 0.32 and average of 0.42 inch. Check again. Shooting it off hand, we noticed the Springfield had nice balance and was easy to cycle without disrupting the sight picture too much or smashing our fingers into the scope eyepiece. 

Our Team Said: The Springfield 2020 Rimfire is a fun rifle to shoot, and it allows you to shoot well due to the weight, ergonomic stock, and trigger. It has an adult size and weight, and if you want to shoot small groups with a 22 LR, this is a good option. 

To collect bench accuracy data, we fired three-shot groups at 50 yards using a rest. We recorded velocities and muzzle energy using a Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph.

Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT