Heatseeker: The Tightest Group of My Life

By Michael Mills

Posted in
#Guns

In today’s article, Michael Mills spends time with a new Heatseeker rifle option in Springfield Armory’s Model 2020 lineup. The gun is a beauty and Mills achieved some impressive groups with Hornady ammo. The rifle shot in this article was loaned to Mills by the company.

The Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker brings serious precision capability with its carbon fiber barrel and Sharps Bros. chassis. This rifle is ready for both hunting and long-range work.

Recently, on a beautiful 65˚ morning in the tranquil Arizona Sonoran Desert, I had an experience that will stick with me for the foreseeable future. This day started off with an hour-long drive followed by a quick range set up to test my new Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker — one of three new models launching today. The next two hours left me with a feeling of achievement and a big smile on my face.

[Also check out Sean Utley’s review of the original Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker.]

The Model 2020 family of centerfire rifles has been well proven over the past several years with its .75 MOA guarantee. This is the type of performance any hunter or precision match shooter dreams of out of a rifle that you don’t have to custom build or spend ridiculous amounts of money on.

Shooter positioned behind Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker precision rifle mounted on BOG Deathgrip tripod during range session in Arizona desert terrain. The bolt action chassis rifle with Coyote Brown Cerakote finish sits securely in tripod clamp system allowing for stable shooting platform at various angles. Vortex Viper scope mounted on rifle provides magnified view of distant targets while shooter maintains proper cheek weld on adjustable B5 Systems stock. Blackout Defense Acra plate attached to M-Lok rail provides tripod mounting point for the lightweight aluminum chassis. This shooting position allows engagement of steel plates at extended ranges beyond typical bipod capabilities. Tripod setup particularly useful for positional shooting and longer distance target work where stability matters most. — The Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker works exceptionally well from a tripod shooting position for longer-range work.

Earlier this year, Springfield introduced the Model 2020 Heatseeker, a chassis variant of this proven system. The first iteration of the Heatseeker was with a 16” carbon fiber barrel in either .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor (CM). Imagine getting a 16” chassis rifle that still gives .75 MOA in those calibers. Pretty crazy, right?

Next-Gen Performance

I think we all knew Springfield Armory was not going to stop there, and I’m happy they did not. Now, the Model 2020 Heatseeker is available in two additional barrel lengths. These are 20” and 22” with caliber offerings in both .308 and 6.5 CM. The 6.5 is offered in both 20” and 22”, while the .308 is a 20”. These are in addition to the previously released 16” guns in both chamberings.

Precision rifle shooter engaging targets from supported tripod position with Springfield Heatseeker chassis rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor caliber. The carbon fiber barreled rifle clamped into BOG Deathgrip tripod head provides rigid platform for accurate shot placement at distance. Shooter demonstrates proper form with eye aligned to riflescope and support hand controlling rear bag or stock adjustment. Suppressor visible on muzzle helps manage recoil and protects hearing during extended shooting sessions. This setup used successfully for first-round impacts on 10-inch steel plates out to 500 yards with both match and hunting ammunition. Tripod shooting position allows for more flexible shooting angles compared to prone bipod work. The lightweight chassis design of Model 2020 makes it well-suited for this type of positional shooting. — The Model 2020 Heatseeker mounted on a BOG Deathgrip tripod proved effective for hitting steel targets with fairly aggressive shooting angles.

All of these new models will still have the impressive carbon fiber barrel with the same accuracy guarantee as the originals. However, when stepping into the 20” or 22”, you can achieve even better performance with your ammunition. Those few extra inches of barrel in both calibers will net higher velocities and need less adjustment at longer targets.

[Read Wayne van Zwoll’s article if you want to learn more about the 6.5 Creedmoor.]

When my rifle came in, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I pulled it out of the box and immediately began to inspect every inch of it. I knew from previous experience when I inserted the spiral fluted bolt into the action it was going to be very smooth and lock up extremely tight. I could not help but be drawn to the rich Coyote Brown Cerakote, which looks amazing in the Arizona Desert wilderness. The carbon fiber barrel behind the Sharps Bros. chassis gave it that perfect amount of contrast.

B5 Systems Precision Collapsible Stock mounted on Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker chassis rifle showing adjustable comb and length of pull features. The precision stock attaches to standard AR-pattern buffer tube with solid lockup eliminating movement common in lesser stocks. Dial wheel visible on stock allows micro adjustments for comb height ensuring proper eye alignment with mounted scope. The collapsible design uses buffer tube position stops while precision adjustments fine-tune final fit. Stock construction provides rigid cheek weld surface critical for consistent accuracy with bolt action precision rifles. Coyote Brown Cerakote finish on chassis complements black stock color. This stock choice appears on multiple precision rifles due to proven performance and adjustment range. Compatible with AR-15 buffer tubes making replacement and customization straightforward for shooters. — The B5 Systems Precision Collapsible Stock on the Heatseeker offers exceptional adjustability for different shooters and positions.

Holding the rifle It just felt solid all the way around. The B5 Systems Precision Collapsible Precision Stock is one of my personal favorites. I have it on two of my precision rifles. These stocks are extremely solid on the buffer tube and make full use of the buffer tube adjustments while still giving micro adjustments via a dial wheel for comb height and length of pull. And of course, the AR-pattern B5 P-Grip 23 is a classic in the AR-15 world. And yes, as you can tell by looking at the rifle, the chassis was built to accept standard AR-15 butter tubes and grips.

The Sharps Bros. chassis appeared to be meticulously machined. The M-Lok rail gave an almost monolithic appearance to the main section. I thought to myself, “How is this chassis made of 6061-t6 aluminum at only 1 pound and 3 ounces?”. The ambi magazine release seemed to match every line of the chassis while being very easy to activate from either side. An included AICS-pattern five-round metal magazine fit perfectly with a no drag insertion and drop to it.

AICS-pattern metal magazine for Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker loaded with Hornady factory ammunition in 6.5 Creedmoor caliber showing brass cartridge cases. The five-round magazine holds either 140-grain ELD Match or 143-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter loads used during accuracy testing. Magazine features steel construction with reliable feed geometry compatible with bolt action chassis rifles. Hornady ammunition visible with distinctive red polymer tips on ELD projectiles designed for ballistic consistency. Factory match and hunting loads from Hornady produced exceptional accuracy including sub-quarter MOA groups during range session. Magazine inserts and drops freely from chassis thanks to ambidextrous magazine release. Quality ammunition selection paramount for achieving accuracy potential of precision rifles with carbon fiber barrels. These loads proved well-suited to rifle's one-in-eight twist rate barrel delivering velocities optimized for 20-inch barrel length. — Hornady Match and Precision Hunter loads proved excellent choices during testing with this rifle.

The quality just seemed to be above its price point (which is $2,355 for all variants, by the way). I ran the bolt one more time and felt the smoothness of the action with the magazine installed. I just wanted to see how smooth the EDM wire cut raceways were and, of course, that final locking of the spiral-fluted dual lug 4140 nitrided bolt. I had a grin looking at the included Picatinny rail on top with dual recoil pins.

Outfitting for Performance

I decided to turn to an old favorite for the scope — the tried-and-true Vortex Optics Viper PST in 3-15×44. For the reticle, I chose the first focal plane EBR-7C MRAD. This optic is not only one of the best values in the market for its clarity and consistency, but the reticle design basically negates the need to do any dialing of the turrets. It is as simple as knowing distance, calling wind and then hold on reticle before breaking the shot. Always remember, the right scope on top of your precision rifle can make or break performance.

Accutac WB-04 bipod attached to M-Lok rail system on Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker precision chassis rifle showing wide stance leg configuration. The black anodized aluminum bipod legs extend from mounting point on Sharps Brothers chassis forend providing adjustable height for prone shooting positions. Bipod features robust construction designed to handle loading force when shooter applies pressure into rifle for recoil management. The wider leg spread compared to standard bipods offers increased stability during firing especially for taller shooters. Carbon fiber barrel visible above bipod mount with Coyote Brown Cerakote chassis providing color contrast. This bipod choice proved effective during accuracy testing where rifle produced sub-quarter MOA groups with factory match ammunition. Mounting system integrates cleanly with chassis rail without adding excessive weight to front end. — The Accu-Tac WB-04 bipod provides a solid shooting platform for the Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker.

Since I am a bit of a taller and bigger guy, I generally enjoy a higher bipod when shooting prone. For this the choice was obvious — my Accu-Tac WB-04 bipod. It gives a bit of a wider stance but also some additional height when needed. And quite honestly, they just look cool and fit the rifle all while giving a very stable platform and strength when you load your body into the rifle.

On the muzzle end Springfield includes a color-matched thread protector, which is a very nice touch. And since it’s a 5/8×24 standard thread pitch my can was going to make a perfect match for the carbon fiber barrel.

Always Feed It a Healthy Diet

Ammo choice is paramount when it comes to a precision rifle of any kind — hunting or match. While some barrels may like one load over another, in my experience Hornady Match ammo just seems to give unmatched performance out of the box. I chose to run 140-gr. Hornady ELD Match and Hornady 143-gr. ELD-X Precision Hunter ammunition. I have used both of these a lot and, for my personal 6.5 CM hunting rifles, I choose the 143-gr ELD-X. With the 20” barrel having a 1 in 8” twist rate, I figured my results were going to be very good with these two loads.

Made My Day

After a quick zero it was time to lay down some groups. I let the rifle cool down and started off with the Hornady 140-gr. ELD Match. This is where some people say to remove the cold bore shot and others say to include the cold bore shot. I want you to know both because cold bore shots matter when you are hunting and competing. But your consistency is always in the core group after a cold bore or fouling shot. All rounds were fired with the suppressor from the prone and no rest or led sled was used. A five-shot group was fired, including the cold bore for each string of fire.

Paper shooting target displaying five-shot group fired from Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker rifle using Hornady 143-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter ammunition in 6.5 Creedmoor caliber. The bullet holes cluster tightly together showing accuracy measurement of 0.656 minutes of angle for complete five-round string including cold bore shot. Core four-shot group after removing cold bore impact measures 0.450 MOA demonstrating consistent precision performance. Target shows impacts at 100 yards distance with all rounds staying well within one-inch spread. Factory hunting ammunition produced groups exceeding the rifle's three-quarter MOA accuracy guarantee. This level of precision makes the chassis rifle suitable for both competitive shooting and ethical long-range hunting applications. — The Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker delivered impressive accuracy with Hornady 143-grain ELD-X ammunition during testing.

The Hornady ELD Match resulted in a total five-shot group size of .925″ according to Ballisic-X. But the real shock was when I was viewing basically one hole for all four subsequent shots. If we remove the cold bore shot, our core group size is .221″. This is pretty amazing. Well, this core four-shot grouping was sub ¼”. This is my personal best-ever grouping with any rifle of any caliber. And this is well below the .75 MOA guarantee from Springfield Armory for a three-shot group. Color me impressed!

Paper shooting target displaying remarkable five-shot group fired from Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker precision rifle using Hornady 140-grain ELD Match ammunition in 6.5 Creedmoor. The bullet impacts show total group size of 0.925 minutes of angle including cold bore shot with core four-shot cluster measuring just 0.221 MOA. Four subsequent shots after cold bore created essentially one ragged hole in target demonstrating exceptional consistency. This sub-quarter inch grouping at 100 yards represents personal best accuracy achievement and significantly exceeds the rifle's three-quarter MOA factory guarantee. Carbon fiber barrel with one-in-eight twist rate stabilized match bullets perfectly. Target proves the chassis rifle's capability to compete with custom-built precision firearms costing much more. — The Springfield Heatseeker produced exceptional results with Hornady 140-grain ELD Match ammo during range testing. The core four-shot group measured an incredible 0.221″ after the cold bore shot.

I then moved on to the Hornady 143-gr. ELD-X Precision Hunter. I had high hopes for this ammo because I personally use it for my hunts. According to Ballistic-X, the five-shot group — including the cold bore — was .656″. Again, this was beating out the .75 MOA guarantee for three shots. When the cold bore is removed, we get a core group of .450″. But why is the core group the most important? Well, the core group shows you the consistency of the rifle — basically, how it’s going to perform shot after shot. We all know the cold bore is going to be slightly off zero, especially when a suppressor is added. So, you need to know it. However, the core group tells the real story of how the rifle will perform.

Drive the Performance Home

After my initial groups I could not wait to stretch the legs on this rifle. I had targets available out to 500 yards on the day of testing consisting of 10” plates. I had already mounted a Blackout Defense Arca-Swiss plate on the M-Lok rail. Now it was time to get out the BOG DeathGrip tripod and go to work with some fairly aggressive angle shooting.

Shooter operating bolt action of Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker precision rifle during range session demonstrating cycling process between shots. The spiral fluted bolt with dual lugs visible as shooter pulls rearward to extract fired cartridge case from chamber. EDM wire cut raceways in action provide smooth bolt travel with minimal friction during operation. Shooter maintains shooting position behind rifle while working bolt to chamber next round from AICS magazine. Carbon fiber barrel with mounted suppressor extends forward while Vortex scope remains at eye level. Bolt features 4140 steel construction with nitride finish for durability and corrosion resistance. The action lockup feels tight and precise contributing to rifle's exceptional accuracy performance. Shooter experienced smooth bolt manipulation throughout testing session producing sub-MOA groups with factory ammunition. Coyote Brown Cerakote chassis visible with M-Lok rail system and adjustable B5 precision stock. — The Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker’s action cycles smoothly thanks to EDM wire cut raceways and the spiral fluted bolt.

The plates were no match for this rifle. I had my range card built with the help of Applied Ballistics and went to work getting first round impacts on every plate out to 500 with both Hornady ammo types. Since I was shooing up against a mountain that surrounds the range, the report of the impacts were so satisfying.

Ultimately, I was extremely impressed with this rifle. I am by no means a top-level precision shooter. But I know performance when I see and feel it on the range. In my opinion, the performance of the Model 2020 Heatseeker 20” is plainly obvious. And when you feed it the right ammo like the Hornady I did, you will see and feel it too.

Vortex Viper PST 3-15x44 riflescope mounted on Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker precision rifle showing magnification range suitable for shooting to 500 yards and beyond. The scope features first focal plane EBR-7C MRAD reticle allowing holdovers without dialing turrets for quick target engagement. Optic mounted in quality rings on Picatinny rail with dual recoil pins ensuring zero retention. The 44mm objective lens provides sufficient light gathering while keeping overall scope weight reasonable. Magnification range of 3-15 power covers close range work through extended distance precision shooting. Vortex Viper PST known for excellent clarity and consistency at its price point making it popular choice for precision rifles. Reticle design with hash marks and wind holds simplifies ranging and compensation at distance. This scope contributed to first-round hits on steel plates extending to 500 yards during testing. Coyote Brown chassis visible below optic with carbon fiber barrel extending forward. — Scope choice matters significantly with precision rifles and the Vortex Viper PST proved an excellent match for the Springfield Heatseeker.

If you are thinking about cost factors, the MSRP of all the Model 2020 Heatseekers is $2,355 as a complete rifle. Most of the popular custom precision barreled actions are on average well over $2,000. So, you are not only getting amazing performance you are getting that performance in a complete rifle package at a very good price point. I’m sold!

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