Estimated studying time: 10 minutes
The Springfield Armory Mannequin 2020 Heatseeker blends precision bolt-action efficiency with the modular adaptability of AR-style parts. Constructed round Springfield’s customized Mannequin 2020 motion and paired with a light-weight Sharps Bros chassis, this rifle delivers a contemporary precision bundle in a compact, hunter-friendly footprint. Chambered in .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor and sporting a BSF carbon-wrapped barrel, the Heatseeker is designed to deal with every little thing from long-range metal to deer within the Fall.
Springfield 2020 Heatseeker Specs:
Caliber Choices: .308 Win (reviewed) and 6.5 Creedmoor Weight: 7 lbs 7 oz Barrel: 16” BSF Carbon Fiber-Wrapped, 1:10 twist Inventory: Sharps Bros Heatseeker Chassis w/ B5 Techniques CPS and P-Grip 23 Set off: Triggertech Subject Set off (Adjustable 2.5 – 5.0 lbs) Journal: AICS-style, 5-round included (examined with MDT 12-round mags) MSRP: $2,355
Out of the Field
Springfield ships the Heatseeker with a soft-sided rifle case. This can be a small however appreciated contact, particularly when most rifles simply are available a cardboard field. It comes with a single 5-round magazine, a gun lock, a sticker, and a guaranty card. Proper from the manufacturing facility, the rifle feels strong and well-balanced. The coyote brown Cerakote end provides the rifle a field-ready look, whereas the minimalist chassis design retains the burden down and makes it simple to hold afield.
Inventory
The Sharps Bros Heatseeker Chassis is constructed from a single block of 6061-T6 aluminum and weighs simply over a pound. It mates completely with the Mannequin 2020 motion and accepts normal AR buffer tubes and pistol grips. The B5 Techniques Collapsible Precision Inventory stood out to me with its adjustable cheekpiece and length-of-pull. That function was invaluable when switching between daytime optics and a thermal scope on a QD mount. It allowed me to make fast modifications whereas at all times sustaining the right place on the rifle.
Whereas I’m an enormous fan of the adjustability, I do want the inventory folded. At this value level, a folding mechanism would go a great distance in enhancing portability, particularly for hunters packing into distant areas. Because the rifle doesn’t use an anti-rotation plate, there aren’t many drop-in choices for folding inventory conversions both.
Handguard on the Heatseeker
The handguard on the Heatseeker strikes a singular stability between perform and minimalism. M-LOK slots at a number of positions enable for mounting bipods, slings, and lights, whereas the skeletal cutouts scale back weight and provide you with extra thumb clearance beneath the optic.
It’s snug to grip and maneuver, however the thinner profile and lack of a flat backside do restrict its effectiveness for positional capturing. It’s not essentially the most inflexible for operating a front-mounted clip-on thermal or NV gadget. Nonetheless, for looking and normal precision capturing, it affords loads of utility.
Motion
On the coronary heart of the Heatseeker is Springfield’s Mannequin 2020 motion. It’s machined with twin locking lugs, a fluted bolt, and EDM-cut raceways. The bolt has only a contact of play, nevertheless it cycles nice and reliably. Even after I ran it laborious and off-angle throughout sooner follow-up pictures, it by no means sure up or didn’t feed. I shot it a good quantity out within the wind and mud, however even with the grit buildup, the motion powered by means of.
Set off
This rifle ships with a Triggertech Subject Set off, and it lives as much as the fame. I’m an enormous fan of Triggertechs on the whole, and this gadget continues to impress. There’s no take-up, and it breaks cleanly proper previous the wall. From the manufacturing facility, mine measured 3.5 lbs, nevertheless it’s user-adjustable from 2.5 to five.0 lbs in 1-ounce increments.
In a precision or looking setup, the set off is among the most vital person interfaces, and Springfield nailed it utilizing this set off. No gritty pull, no mush previous the wall, only a clear break each time.
Magazines
The Heatseeker comes with a single 5-round AICS-pattern magazine, however I spent most of my time with 12-round MDT mags. These bigger mags gave me extra flexibility on the vary and within the discipline. AICS compatibility is a serious win, because it opens up a large aftermarket of confirmed, dependable choices.
The mags seated firmly and dropped free with out situation. Feeding was constant, and the journal launch location labored nicely with out ever being bumped unintentionally.
Barrel
The BSF 16” barrel is carbon fiber-wrapped, that includes a roll-wrapped tensioned sleeve. This improves cooling, reduces weight, and maintains rigidity. The barrel is threaded 5/8×24 and comes with a thread protector put in. I ran this rifle suppressed utilizing a SilencerCo Hybrid 46, and it ran and sounded nice.
Springfield Heatseeker Precision
Ammunitiontogo.com is the official ammo sponsor for this overview. I ordered Hornady ammunition for testing this rifle, and it was on my doorstep inside the week. They provide a big selection of competitively priced ammunition. Straightforward-to-use on-line web site, fast delivery, and aggressive costs. Go verify them out!
Accuracy is an enormous a part of the Heatseeker’s pitch, and Springfield backs it up with a .75 MOA assure for 3-shot teams utilizing match-grade ammo. Whereas my take a look at rifle didn’t hit that mark with each load I attempted, it did with Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr BTHP, averaging 0.76 MOA. Outcomes with different masses have been extra combined, however I believe some dangerous plenty of Hornady might have influenced these numbers. Undecided if I had the ammo sitting in my storage for too lengthy or what. Both method, the rifle exhibits severe potential when paired with the best ammo.
Listed here are the common group sizes and greatest teams I recorded throughout testing:
Efficiency
The Heatseeker handles like a purpose-built hybrid. It isn’t a PRS race gun, and it isn’t a featherweight mountain rifle. As a substitute, it’s a do-it-all platform that works nicely for shooters who need a compact, correct chassis rifle with looking and modularity in thoughts.
Working this rifle suppressed made for a cushty capturing expertise. The quick barrel paired with my can made transitions fast, and the recoil was manageable for quick follow-ups. The collapsible inventory let me fine-tune my cheek weld for both a standard scope or my thermal very quickly. This was particularly good for nighttime hog and coyote management efforts.
Accuracy with match-grade ammo was strong, although I’d’ve favored to see tighter teams throughout a broader vary of masses. Nonetheless, the rifle delivered on its .75 MOA assure with a minimum of one manufacturing facility possibility. After getting subpar outcomes from a number of Hornady masses, I thought of sending the rifle in for guarantee analysis and reached out to the Springfield staff. They responded by sharing that, previous to delivery, that they had proof-tested this precise rifle with Federal Gold Medal Match 168 grain and recorded sub-.75 MOA teams. That degree of transparency and the truth that they proof take a look at every rifle earlier than delivery it out the door was spectacular. It additionally prompted me to attempt the identical load, and positive sufficient, I instantly achieved sub-.75 MOA outcomes as nicely. With the best ammunition, I consider the Heatseeker is able to even higher consistency.
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Heatseeker Abstract
The Springfield Armory Mannequin 2020 Heatseeker hits a candy spot between modular adaptability and precision efficiency. It’s constructed round a clean, dependable motion, sports activities a improbable Triggertech set off, and is available in a light-weight chassis system that helps AR-style furnishings. The .75 MOA assure is a welcome benchmark in as we speak’s market, and the rifle exhibits clear potential with high quality ammunition.
For $2,355 MSRP, it’s priced amongst severe competitors, nevertheless it brings sufficient distinctive options to justify consideration. Whereas I’d prefer to see a folding inventory at this value level, the general bundle remains to be sturdy. Particularly for shooters who need one thing compact, modular, and suppressor-ready. The Heatseeker isn’t essentially a contest rifle, and it’s not a light-weight mountain rifle both, however it blends sufficient from each to make it a compelling all-around bolt gun for the trendy shooter.
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Mitchell Graf is a devoted hunter, aggressive shooter, and firearms fanatic. As a former teacher and president of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Taking pictures Workforce, he has a powerful basis in marksmanship and competitors capturing. Today, he spends as a lot time as doable chasing pigs and coyotes with evening imaginative and prescient and thermal optics.
When he’s not within the discipline or on the vary, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer within the Aerospace and Protection trade and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether or not he’s behind a rifle, designing elements, or working the land, his drive for precision and efficiency stays the identical.
Expertise:– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time skilled within the Aerospace/Protection trade.– Aggressive Shooter & Teacher – Former President and Teacher of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Taking pictures Workforce.– Evening Imaginative and prescient & Thermal Hunter – Enthusiastic about evening time predator and hog looking.– Half-Time Farmer – Working to supply for my household, and lift meals for this nice nation.
