{"id":12385,"date":"2026-06-09T13:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T13:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/springfields-new-heatseeker-rifle-is-a-true-1-2-moa-factory-gun\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T13:02:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T13:02:01","slug":"springfields-new-heatseeker-rifle-is-a-true-1-2-moa-factory-gun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/springfields-new-heatseeker-rifle-is-a-true-1-2-moa-factory-gun\/","title":{"rendered":"Springfield’s New Heatseeker Rifle is a True 1\/2 MOA Factory Gun"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It isn\u2019t true, as Colonel Townsend Whelen famously wrote, that \u201conly accurate rifles are interesting.\u201d However, a rifle that can shoot a dime at 100 yards is always more<\/em> interesting than one that can\u2019t, which is why I\u2019m excited to tell you more about the new Heatseeker rifle from Springfield Armory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Illinois gunmaker has been quickly expanding the Model 2020 line over the last few years, and the latest iteration hit the shelves in the latter half of 2025. The Heatseeker uses the popular Model 2020 action but marries it to a Sharps Bros. Heatseeker Chassis. The combination promises the modularity of an AR-platform rifle and the precision of a bolt-action\u2014and on that second score, I gotta say, this rifle delivers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Specifications<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Calibers Offered<\/strong>: 6.5 Creedmoor (tested), 308 Winchester<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barrel<\/strong>: 20″ Carbon Fiber, 1:8, 5\/8×24, Coyote Brown Cerakote\u00ae H-250<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Receiver<\/strong>: Model 2020 Stainless Steel, Coyote Brown Cerakote\u00ae H-250<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Optic Mounting<\/strong>: Picatinny Mount, Rem 700 SA Pattern, 6-48 Screws<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bolt<\/strong>: Fluted 4140 Tool Steel, Nitride<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Stock<\/strong>: Sharps Bros Heatseeker M-Lok Chassis; B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock – Large; B5 Systems P-Grip 23<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Trigger<\/strong>: TriggerTech Adjustable, 2.5 – 5 lbs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Muzzle Device<\/strong>: Thread Protector<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Ultra-Modern<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Springfield\u2019s pitch for the Model 2020 has always been that it\u2019s the ultimate modern rifle. Springfield Armory\u2014not to be confused with the historic government arsenal of the same name\u2014has been making bolt-action long guns for only six years. Getting into the game so late, they say, gives them fresh eyes and allows them to adopt all the best ideas from previous designs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Model 2020 action features a 90-degree bolt throw, removable bolt head, dual locking lugs, and a fluted bolt. New gun designs almost always experience growing pains, but the 2020 has been around long enough that if there were any major design flaws, they would have been exposed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This iteration of the Model 2020 features a Sharps Bros. Heatseeker Chassis, which offers the rigidity of a competition system without quite as much weight. The chassis proper (the portion that bolts onto the receiver) clocks in at 19 ounces while the removable handguard weighs a scant 10 ounces. Both are constructed from aluminum, and the chassis is crafted from billet (solid block) high-strength 6061-T6. That gives it excellent rigidity, which contributes to accuracy and repeatability. It also accepts standard AICS magazines (one included), so you won\u2019t have any trouble feeding your new rifle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The only downside of this chassis system is that you have to remove the handguard before taking the barreled action out of the rifle. That can be accomplished easily enough by loosening two screws on the bottom of the handguard and sliding it off the barrel. But it adds an extra step to the process, so it\u2019s worth noting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Heatseeker chassis looks like many other modern chassis systems, but it offers one (relatively) unique advantage: It accepts AR-15 furniture. The pistol grip can be swapped out for any standard AR grip, and the rear of the chassis can be fitted with an AR-style buffer tube and corresponding stock. In this case, the rifle comes with a B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock. The B5 Precision Stock uses two rotating wheels that quickly and securely adjust the comb height and length of pull (LOP). I especially liked the cheek riser. It uses soft, rubbery padding, and I appreciated being able to adjust it to precisely the right height.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The system works as intended, but you can decide for yourself whether it\u2019s useful. It does allow you to easily swap stocks to fit your needs. This B5 stock is comfortable but bulky, so you might want a more streamlined stock for walking through the woods or climbing into a tree stand. But I don\u2019t see many people needing the six-position buffer system. Most scopes can\u2019t be mounted far enough to the rear to use any but the shortest and next-to-shortest stock position. Plus, the B5 stock can already adjust for LOP, so the six-position tube is redundant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The pistol version of the Heatseeker uses a picatinny rail instead of a buffer tube, which I think is a much more useful option. Unfortunately, Springfield only offers the pistol in .308 Win. with a 12-inch barrel. It\u2019s a slick little setup\u2013especially with a suppressor\u2013but not ideal for all hunts or applications. I\u2019m hoping they expand the pistol lineup in the near future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Build It Yourself?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Springfield uses all aftermarket parts on its new rifle, allowing product developers to pick and choose high-quality components. Many rifle makers these days have adopted this strategy. They produce barreled actions in-house but source the stock, trigger, and associated parts from other companies. On this rifle, the chassis is from Sharps Bros., the stock and grip are from B5 Systems, and the trigger is from TriggerTech.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This begs the question: why would you pay Springfield to assemble the Model 2020 Heatseeker if you can just do it yourself using the company\u2019s standalone action? Installing a trigger in a receiver and fitting the receiver to a chassis is easy, especially with the right tools and a little know-how. If you plan to swap out the stock, it seems like you could save some money by making a Model 2020 Heatseeker yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Here\u2019s how the costs break down:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Model 2020 Action\n <\/td>\n$1,099\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barrel\n <\/td>\n~$500\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heatseeker Chassis\n <\/td>\n$450\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B5 Precision Stock\n <\/td>\n$230\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B5 P-Grip 23\n <\/td>\n$20\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TriggerTech Field Trigger\n <\/td>\n$120\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Build-It-Yourself<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n$2,419<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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As you can see, Springfield\u2019s MSRP of $2,355 is fair enough, and I\u2019m seeing these rifles online for closer to $2,100.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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My build-it-yourself total also doesn\u2019t include the cost of paying a gunsmith to install a barrel (~$150), and a carbon fiber unit will likely cost more than $500. I\u2019m also not sure Sharps. Bros even offers the Heatseeker in the Model 2020 platform. They list various actions on their website, but as of this writing, I don\u2019t see Springfield\u2019s among them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You might not be able to construct exactly the same rifle for a lower price, but it\u2019s still worth looking closely at how these modern rifles are put together\u2014and deciding whether for any particular model, the benefits outweigh the cost.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

At the Range<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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After digging into this rifle\u2019s components, I was excited to take the Heatseeker to the range and start pulling the trigger. I wasn\u2019t expecting it to perform all that much better than the Model 2020 Boundary rifle I tested in 2024. It\u2019s the same action and barrel, and I\u2019ve never seen massive accuracy gains by swapping one modern stock or chassis for another.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Turns out, I was wrong. This thing really shoots. And not just for one or two groups, but for group after group after group. It obviously didn\u2019t prefer those 120-grain all-copper projectiles, but it shot lights-out with match bullets and Sig Sauer\u2019s Marksman Hunter loads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ammo<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n140g Match<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n130g Marksman Hunter<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n120g Copper<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average Group (in)<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n0.67\n <\/td>\n0.52\n <\/td>\n1.35\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Small Group (in)<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n0.35\n <\/td>\n0.3\n <\/td>\n1\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average Velocity (fps)<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n2627\n <\/td>\n2712\n <\/td>\n2818\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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As you can see, Springfield delivers on its 0.75 MOA promise–and then some. I’m usually skeptical about accuracy guarantees because most modern rifles can shoot at least one good group. To be truly sub-MOA–or 0.75 or 0.5 MOA–the rifle has to deliver group after group. This rifle does, and it even performed with multiple bullet weights and styles. I honestly can’t recall the last time I’ve tested a factory rifle that averages<\/em> a half-inch group at 100 yards. That’s some exceptional performance, and it speaks to the quality of Springfield’s manufacturing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It’s possible I received a particularly well-made sample. I’ve seen other reviews that report less impressive accuracy results, though none used exactly the same ammunition. Still, I think my results show what’s possible with good ammo, and I have no doubt that each and every Model 2020 Heatseeker will post good groups with a little trial and error.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Plus, fitted with a MeatEater Banish suppressor, I could shoot this thing all day with zero discomfort. I also never experienced any malfunctions or jams as the Model 2020 action cycled smoothly shot after shot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

So, What\u2019s It Good For?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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The Model 2020 Heatseeker obviously fits within\u2013and is trying to capitalize on\u2013a larger trend in the hunting rifle world. While traditional lines remain popular, many hunters are hitting the woods with modular, AR-like bolt guns that offer far greater levels of customizability. You might get some odd looks from the old-timers if you take the Heatseeker to deer camp, but you\u2019ll get far fewer of those looks today than you would have 10 years ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That\u2019s partly because many have recognized the benefits of customizing your rifle to maximize comfort. Using a stock and pistol grip that can be adjusted to your body makes the Heatseeker easier to shoot even from awkward positions. Adding your favorite muzzle device to the threaded barrel helps as well, and the detachable magazine aids in loading and unloading.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A clean, crisp trigger\u2013which certainly describes this TriggerTech model\u2013rounds out the ergonomic picture, making the Heatseeker a pleasure to shoot at the range or in the blind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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And yet, there are better options for both applications. First, Springfield only offers the Model 2020 Heatseeker in two chamberings: 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester. Other Model 2020s are available in long-action cartridges, but it looks like Sharps Bros. only makes a short-action version of their chassis. That short action keeps the rifle\u2019s weight down, but at over 7.5 pounds, it still ain\u2019t light. And while the stock is adjustable, it makes the rifle overly long at any but the shortest positions. All those factors combined, the Heatseeker might not be a good fit for some hunters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In that case, you might say, the Heatseeker would make a good competition gun. You could certainly shoot it competitively\u2013and depending on your skill, you might have success. But dedicated competition chassis systems offer even greater levels of customization. They can be fitted with weights at different locations to adjust the rifle\u2019s balance, and many utilize an ARCA attachment system for bipods and tripods. And while the 6.5 Creedmoor has won its share of competitions, the lack of cartridge options will be a turn off for many competitors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The most natural way to think about the Heatseeker is as a crossover gun\u2013something you can take to the field but also use in your local Saturday-morning rifle competition. That entails some compromise, as a rifle dedicated to a single application will always be better at that task than a Jack of All Trades. But do-it-all guns have an appeal of their own, and I think the Heatseeker plays that role well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Last Shot<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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I might amend Col. Whelen\u2019s maxim to read, \u201cSome interesting rifles aren\u2019t accurate, but all accurate rifles are useful.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You, like me, might quibble with some of the Heatseeker’s features and question whether they have real appeal. But at the end of the day, a gun that puts a bullet where you want it to go will always be more useful than a rifle that doesn\u2019t\u2013even if that rifle has all the right features. The Heatseeker might be a little cumbersome to carry into the tree stand, but once you get it there, it\u2019ll hit what you\u2019re aiming at as long as you do your part. Same goes for a competition. It might not serve your needs perfectly in each and every scenario, but you can trust it to perform where it counts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As far as I\u2019m concerned, there\u2019s no higher praise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It isn\u2019t true, as Colonel Townsend Whelen famously wrote, that \u201conly accurate rifles are interesting.\u201d However, a rifle that can shoot a dime at 100 yards is always more interesting than one that can\u2019t, which is why I\u2019m excited to tell you more about the new Heatseeker rifle from Springfield Armory. The Illinois gunmaker has<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/pujs1b1v0165\/4eIBho3MlL5SQZbQIxWx7M\/59d8b6a97fb123b6654c2b8f79a647b1\/heat_feature_3.jpg?fit=fill&w=1200&h=630","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-hunting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12385"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12387,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12385\/revisions\/12387"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}