Adam Scepaniak 10.16.25
Some hunters and shooters enjoy the process of building, developing, and piecing together a rifle meticulously one part at a time. Others opt for a put together package that has a custom vibe about it. A slick finish, a chassis that could be changed down the road (if you desire), and other desirable traits. The rifle we are going to discuss today falls into the latter category. You have a custom-quality rifle straight out-of-the-box from Springfield Armory in the Model 2020 Heatseeker turns heads and should perforate bullseyes. Will it perform though? Let’s dive in!
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Specifications – Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker 6.5 Creedmoor
The Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor has an MSRP of $2,355 making it a more expensive rifle, but once you survey the specs and its performance, you may change your mind. As we alluded to, this is a Custom Shop quality rifle that you can buy right off the shelf (or request) from your local Springfield Armory dealer. All of the important specs for this rifle can be read below as presented by Springfield Armory:
- Cartridge: 6.5 Creedmoor
- Colorway: Coyote Brown
- Barrel: 16″ Carbon Fiber, 1:8, 5/8×24, Coyote Brown Cerakote® H-250
- Receiver: Model 2020 Stainless Steel, Coyote Brown Cerakote® H-250
- Optic Mounting: Picatinny Mount, Rem 700 SA Pattern, 6-48 Screws
- Bolt: Fluted 4140 Tool Steel, Nitride
- Stock: Sharps Bros Heatseeker M-Lok Chassis, B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock – Large, B5 Systems P-Grip 23
- Trigger: TriggerTech Adjustable, 2.5 – 5 lbs
- Muzzle Device: Thread Protector
- Magazines: 5-Round AICS
- Weight: 7 lbs 7 oz
- Length: 35.5″ – 39″
- MSRP: $2,355
- SKU: BAH91665CMCFCB
While we are looking specifically at the Model 2020 Heatseeker in 6.5 Creedmoor today, Springfield Armory has 2 offerings in the Heatseeker series. Again, for clarity, we are playing with the Model 2020 Heatseeker chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor (SKU: BAH91665CMCFCB). The other offerings are listed below:
As always, in the rare event that you should ever need service for your firearm, Springfield Armory has a Lifetime Warranty that stands behind all of their firearms. While I have never experienced any issues with the various rifles and pistols that I have reviewed from Springfield Armory over the years, it is nice to know that you have that safety net and support from Springfield.
A Word from Springfield Armory on the Model 2020 Heatseeker 6.5 Creedmoor
The Springfield Armory® Model 2020 Heatseeker chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor blends bolt-action precision with AR-style modularity. Built on the custom-grade Model 2020 action with dual locking lugs and EDM raceways, it guarantees impressive .75 MOA accuracy. Housed in a lightweight Sharps Bros. Heatseeker Chassis finished in Coyote Brown Cerakote®, the rifle is rounded out with a B5 Systems CPS (Collapsible Precision Stock) and P5 grip offering exceptional versatility and performance.
What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch?
So, what’s the upsell? What’s the metaphorical and literal 30-second elevator pitch? For the Model 2020 Heatseeker, you’re looking at several prominent traits that might tip the scale in favor of Springfield as opposed to a competing manufacturer at a similar price-point.
- Accuracy Guarantee – The Model 2020 Heatseeker is designed to consistently deliver the accuracy expected from a custom-grade rifle. Accordingly, Springfield Armory stands behind the rifle with a rock-solid .75 MOA accuracy guarantee — for a three-shot group at 100 yards with quality match-grade factory ammunition, in the hands of a skilled shooter.
- Model 2020 Action – The heart of the Heatseeker is the Model 2020 action, precision manufactured from premium materials. It features dual locking lugs on a fluted bolt that runs smoothly down EDM raceways for perfect, repeatable engagement. In addition, an optimized extraction cam provides robust, reliable operation in any condition.
- Sharps Bros. Chassis – The Model 2020 action is housed in the Sharps Bros Heatseeker Chassis, weighing 1lb, 3oz, and machined from a single block of high-strength 6061-T6 aluminum with a Coyote Brown Cerakote® finish. It offers modern adaptability with extensive M-Lok coverage for accessory mounting. Additionally, it supports traditional AR-15 buffer tube and grip attachments for enhanced compatibility.
What’s in the Box?
One of the most common and recurring questions I receive reviewing firearms and their related products is, “what’s in the box?” Meaning, what do you all get with your purchase. This is important because what you do and do not get will dictate what type of accessories you need to additionally buy depending on what you want your end-product or concealed carry setup to look like. All this being said, this is everything that you will receive:
- Owner’s Manual, Chamber Flag, Cable Lock
- (1) Nylon, Padded Rifle Case
- (1) 5-Round AICS Magazine
- (1) Model 2020 Heatseeker in 6.5 Creedmoor
***Trijicon Accupoint riflescope & Dead Air Nomad-30 silencer sold separately***
Range Experience
So, how did the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker rifle perform out on the range?… For starters, we are going to speak to its accuracy. For the testing of this rifle, I used a couple different flavors of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition from 95 Grain to 140 Grain. The ammo in between those two extremes shot well – roughly an inch or better all day long – but that seemed predictable to me… maybe even boring.
So, we’ll look at the two grain weights that did the best and the worst: 120 Grain and 140 Grain.
The Remington ammo fresh out-of-the-box shot lights-out from this rifle. I used it to walk in my zero, which only took me 3 shots before I was dancing around the bullseye.
From there, I began laying 5-shot groups from the provided 5-round AICS magazine. After my third 5-shot group with the Remington ammunition, I quit firing because there was nothing more to prove. At 100 yards, all of my 5-shot groups were a 1/2″ or less. The Model 2020 Heatseeker was shooting amazingly.
Moving on to other selections of ammo, I found the 120 Grain TMJ ammunition to have shot the most poorly out of this rifle with most of my groups being around 1 1/8″ to 1 1/2″. This isn’t terrible accuracy, but witnessing the sub-1/2″ groups that I had already shot, I wasn’t pleased with anything else afterwards (I got spoiled).
With this rifle having a 1 in 8″ twist rate, I can understand that it has a bit of a preference for heavier ammunition. So, I can completely understand that the heaviest ammunition shot the best while the lighter ammunition wasn’t quite as accurate.
One thing I did notice over a long day of shooting at the range is that this rifle heats up rather quickly (especially while using a silencer). So, after every 15-20 rounds fired, I would take a 10-15 minute break to let the rifle cool down to eliminate any heat mirage coming off of the barrel.
Other attributes about this rifle that I appreciated other than its raw accuracy were the hefty magazine release that is also ambidextrous.
I also appreciated all of the B5 Systems furniture that is found throughout this rifle. The B5 Systems CPS (Collapsible Precision Stock) was very comfy with its adjustable cheekpiece and buttpad for customized fit as well as the P-Grip 23, which offers an increased vertical grip with functional texture on the sides and frontstrap.
Even the TriggerTech adjustable trigger I found to be really nice to shoot. It had a smooth take-up, smooth pull, and smooth break. Everything about it was smooth.
Final Thoughts
So, what are my final thoughts on the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker in 6.5 Creedmoor?… Overall, this rifle is an absolute shooter. I got groups that were around 0.430″ when using heavy grain weight ammunition for 6.5 Creedmoor, and everything else about this rifle felt premium. The furniture is adjustable and comfortable, the trigger is adjustable and pulls like a dream, and with all of the M-LOK real estate as well as QU cups for accessories, you can truly build out this rifle exactly how you want it, and need it, to perform.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Springfield Armory for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their new Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker in 6.5 Creedmoor. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker in 6.5 Creedmoor is something worth spending your money on? Would you potentially deploy it to shoot a league or competition? Use it for home defense? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Springfield Armory and the Model 2020 Heatseeker in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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