Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker: Ultra-Modern Rifle

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It’s been more than five years since Springfield launched its first modern bolt-action rifle, the Waypoint 2020. That gun was a success, but its M-Lok target-style stock with vertical pistol grip might have been too mod for many bolt-action enthusiasts. To maintain the interest of traditionalists, the Boundary 2020 sporter-style rifle followed. Now Springfield is back with an ultra-modern rifle that offers all the modern amenities that chassis gun enthusiasts like.

The rifle is built around a Sharps Bros. Heatseeker chassis that’s machined from a single block of 6061-T6 aluminum and weighs a mere 19 ounces, making it far lighter than some target chassis guns.

The aluminum handguard has M-Lok attachment points arranged in six rows at the 12, 10, two, nine, three and six o’clock positions. There are six M-Lok slots at the nine, three and six o’clock positions and five at the 12, 10 and two o’clock spots. That’s a total of 33 M-Lok slots—plenty for even the most accessory-loving shooter among us. More importantly, you can position those accessories precisely where you want them.

As if that weren’t enough attachment points, the handguard comes with a pair of QD attachment points on both the left and the right side. These correspond with anti-rotational QD cups on the left and right sides of the Heatseeker’s B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock.

Collapsible Precision Stock

The B5 CPS offers easy and precise adjustments and incorporates robust hardware that won’t fall to pieces in the field. Pull down on the tab on the underside of the stock to adjust length of pull, and a lockout feature prevents the stock from slipping. The cheek riser and buttpad are adjusted by turning heavy-duty dials, and there’s no movement when the proper height is set. It’s a fast, simple and secure system, and certainly one of my favorites.

The stock offers yet a couple more M-Lok attachment points on the base, and a sling mount as well. The Heatseeker has a B5 Systems P-Grip 23, and both the stock and pistol grip are the same Coyote Brown color as the rest of the rifle. Rounding out the Heatseeker package is a TriggerTech Field trigger that is adjustable from 2.5 to five pounds—it came set at 3.75 pounds—and a five-round AICS detachable metal magazine.

Like other rifles in the line, the Heatseeker features Springfield’s proven Model 2020 push-feed action, which uses a tubular receiver with an integral machined recoil lug. A Picatinny rail with dual recoil pins is mounted to the top of the receiver, and the thread pattern mimics the Remington 700 action, so swapping out for a new rail or bases and rings is simple.

The bolt body is fluted and includes two locking lugs and a beefy extractor that is mounted on the outboard lug. A plunger-style ejector protrudes through the recessed bolt face. The bolt is spiral fluted and includes a 90-degree bolt handle with removable bolt head. A bolt release is positioned high on the rear of the receiver,, so it’s easy to access when needed but stays out of your way during normal operation.

Construction

The Heatseeker’s bolt and action are machined after heat treatment, which reduces distortion and improves consistency. Springfield 2020 rifles also feature EDM raceways, and the result is a silky smooth action that’s immediately recognizable when you cycle the rifle. It offers custom gun feel at production rifle prices.

The 2020 action is paired with a 16-inch carbon-fiber-wrapped steel barrel with a 1:8 twist rate and a 5/8x24 threaded muzzle with a thread protector that matches the barrel’s profile and looks like it belongs on an expensive rifle. Like the receiver, the thread protector is treated with a Coyote Brown Cerakote finish.

Springfield offers the Heatseeker in both the 6.5 Creedmoor I tested and .308 Win., two calibers that perform well with 16-inch barrels. I paired it with a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 Gen 2 scope and a Magpul M-Lok bipod. These additions brought the total weight of the rifle to just under 10 pounds.

The Heatseeker isn’t the lightest rifle, but it’s fun to shoot. It barely bucked when I pulled the trigger, and the Field trigger broke crisply. Feeding was flawless. Accuracy lived up to the 0.75 m.o.a. accuracy guarantee, and the best group of the day measured 0.65 inch.

Improvements?

I really like the B5 Systems collapsible stock, although I wish the chassis’ recoil pad was a bit larger to engage more of the shoulder. I’d probably also swap out the pistol grip, but otherwise it was fine.

At $2,355 the Heatseeker isn’t cheap, but it has top-shelf components, and the accuracy and build quality are excellent. If you want a chassis rifle but aren’t interested in piecing one together yourself, this is one of the best off-the-shelf options.

Springfield Model 2020 Heatseeker Specs

• Type: bolt-action centerfire
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor (tested), .308 Win
• Capacity: 5-round AICS magazine supplied
• Barrel: 16 in. carbon fiber, 1:8 twist; threaded 5/8x24
• Overall Length: 35.5–39 in.
• Weight: 7 lb., 7 oz.
• Configuration: Sharps Bros. Heatseeker chassis, B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock, B5 Systems P-Grip 23 pistol grip
• Finish: Coyote Brown Cerakote
• Trigger: TriggerTech Field adjustable; 3.75 lb. pull (measured, as received)
• Sights: none; Picatinny rail on Rem. 700 pattern w/ 6-48 screws
• Price: $2,355
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory, springfield-armory.com

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