First IMPRESSIONS
Springfield Armory’s 2020 series includes hunting and competition rifles that use modern materials for stocks and barrels. The 2020 Heatseeker is meant for serious competition.
Lifting it, I wonder what is missing, as it is incredibly light for its size. The chassis frame has nothing unneeded yet is strong and rigid. The carbon fiber-wrapped barrel wears an attractive pattern concealing a precisely rifled barrel that is thoughtfully threaded for suppressor use.
Every shooter has a different body build with various arm and finger lengths, and the B5 Systems stock is easily adjustable for length of pull and cheek piece height. Mating the stock to the shooter is crucial to a solid break on each shot. Additionally, shooters of different body styles can share a rifle in one match by adjusting the stock to fit between relays. The stock length and height are easy to change by simply turning the built-in wheels.
My favorite features of the Heatseeker rifle are the bolt and trigger assemblies, which are as important to accuracy as the barrel. The single-stage curved trigger is adjustable to break from 2.5 to 5 pounds of pressure. Insert a hex wrench into the trigger guard forward of the trigger to turn the adjustment screw. The positive clicks as I turn the screw allow me to count clicks and return to any trigger weight that I wish. When I squeeze the trigger, it feels solid with no take-up. It breaks precisely and predictably.
The bolt is functional and good-looking. The oversized bolt handle rotates no more than 90 degrees, making it lightning fast. Its twin locking lugs run on precisely machined EDM rails to ensure solid lockup. The fluted bolt body is eye-catching and reduces weight. I notice that ejection is smooth, positive, and effortless, as the extractor and ejector combine to throw empties well clear of the action.
More Features
The most important feature is the Sharps Brothers Heatseeker chassis, from which the rifle derives its name. Weighing only 1 pound, 3 ounces, it ties the entire system together. M-LOK slots with QD sling cups make the rifle customizable, so attaching my bipod, monopod, or sling will be easy.
The Coyote Brown Cerakote finish is attractive and functional. The chassis is rigid because it is machined from a solid block of aluminum. It feels comfortable in my hands as I pull it tight to my shoulder, building confidence in breaking a good shot.
The steel five-shot detachable magazine is well made but very difficult to load. The follower spring is highly tensioned, which helps with feeding reliability, but it is a thumb-breaker to load.
Other features that help to customize the rifle are the Picatinny rail and B5 Systems P-23 vertical grip. The Pic rail allows easy mounting and removal of my scope or other optics, while the nicely textured, vertical AR-15-style pistol grip gives me the control I need to pull tight before I break the shot.
My Accessories
The Heatseeker deserves a long-range, repeatable riflescope. My Zeiss Conquest HD5 3x15x50 is old but retains great clarity and holds zero well at various distances. Although it lacks adjustable windage and elevation turrets, its duplex reticle is marked in yardages from 100 to 600 yards. The side focus dial helps me focus quickly, and the Zeiss will bring out the accuracy of any good rifle.
My SilencerCo Hybrid 46 is the most versatile shooting tool that I own. It can be made to fit pistols like my Glock or carbines like my Rossi 92, and it is an excellent sound reducer for any high-powered rifle. Weighing just under a pound and 8 inches long, it reduces muzzle report drastically and may help accuracy as well.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 7 pounds, 7 ounces
- Length: 35.5 to 39 inches
- Barrel Length: 22 inches
- Bolt: Fluted, Dual locking lugs, Oversize handle
- Trigger Pull: Adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds
- Chassis: Sharps Brothers Heatseeker
- Stock: B5 Systems Collapsible Precision and P23 vertical pistol grip
- Finish: Coyote Brown Cerakote
- Magazine: Detachable five-round steel
- Calibers: 6.5 Creedmoor (tested) or .308 Winchester
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Threaded Muzzle: 5/8x24 TPI
SHOOTING Time
The Springfield Armory Heatseeker deserves a good workout, so I decided to shoot it during a silhouette match at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility near Phoenix, Arizona prior to my formal test at Tucson Rifle Club.
At the match, the Heatseeker acquitted itself well. Using SIG Sauer Elite Series 120-grain solid copper bullet ammo, I hit three steel chicken targets offhand, 10 pigs, and eight turkeys. Accuracy was consistent at these distances from 200 to 385 meters, however, accuracy fell off a bit at 500 meters.
I only hit six rams at 500 meters due to interference from wind and light bullets, so I made sure to use 140-grain bullets for my longer range accuracy test. My two-part test included shooting three-shot groups from the prone position on paper at 100 yards and on steel at 500 meters. Ammunition was Sellier & Bellot Tactical 140-grain FMJ and Norma Whitetail 140-grain PSP.
Accuracy Test
Back at the Tucson Rifle Club, the Norma Whitetail ammunition was up first. The rifle/scope combination was stable in the prone position, and when I pulled the stock into my shoulder and gently squeezed, recoil was minimal. My Hybrid 46 suppressor kept the sound low. The bolt lifts and slides back precisely between shots, throwing brass well clear of the rifle.
My first two shots were touching, but the group opened to a 1-inch spread with the third shot. I think this ammo shoots better than I demonstrated here; I just need a little more practice with the rifle.
The rifle again fed and ejected flawlessly with the S&B Tactical ammo. Recoil was nil, and sound minimal. The holes of this three-shot group did not touch, but the spread was only .75 inch – proving Springfield Armory’s guarantee of accuracy with three shots at 100 yards. Yes, I could have used a higher-priced premium ammo, but it was not needed. The proof is on the paper: the rifle shoots.
At Tucson Rifle Club, the home of rifle silhouette, we shoot steel to test our loads. At 500 meters, the target is a massive steel ram gong. I also included my smaller steel “milk bottle” target for an additional challenge. Results were again pleasing. Both types of ammo fired groups that measured 5 inches. That is 1-MOA accuracy at 500 meters, or 546 yards – not bad for a production rifle with standard ammo! Based on these tests, I believe the Springfield Armory Heatseeker is functional and accurate enough for me. It looks good, too.
PROS & CONS
