Hi All,

I was wondering what your option is of the BOSS system that Browning offers. Does it work and does it work well enough to warrant the extra expense? I was thinking of getting it on a Browning BAR in 30-06.

Also, Browning says that the velocity of a rifle with and without a BOSS will be the same. Do you believe that?

Thanks,
Ben

What the BOSS does is allow you to adjust the barrell harmonics to the cartridge (or load) versus handloading where you adjust the cartridge (or load) to the barrel harmonics.

Is it worth the additional expense? If you do not handload, I feel like it is. If you handload, the BOSS seems to be redundant in its intended purpose.

Theoretically, the BOSS should produce slightly higher velocity. I say that because if barrel harmonics are perfect, the bullet should have an easier time entering, traveling, and exiting the barrel. That difference may or may not be measureable. I doubt that it would be. Hope this helps some, Jim R

[ 12-05-2002, 05:15: Message edited by: Jim R ]

I have a 30.06 Browning, with BOSS, and I have a .223 with BOSS.

To answer your first question, they are both very accurate, as general purpose rifles go. I can routinely do 5/8" 5 shot groups with the .223, and 3/4" with the 06.

As to the claim that muzzle velocity is the same: UNTRUE. Browning goes to great lengths to NOT mention the fact that they include the BOSS in the barrel length, which I find dishonest. When they say 22" barrel, they mean 20" of barrel, and 2" of BOSS. The BOSS does cost you 2" of barrel, and probably 50 fps in muzzle velocity.

They include two BOSSes with each rifle. On the 06, you will use the muzzle brake version precisely once. After your head clears from the muzzle blast, you will promptly change to the "conventional recoil" one that they supply. On the .223, of course, it is a different story.

After getting the Browning, I built a custom 06 on a Mauser action, using a 24" barrel. It is a lot more pleasant to shoot, thanks to 4" more barrel, hence less muzzle blast, and less recoil.

So it boils down to what your personal likes and dislikes are. If you are picking off pronghorn at 400 yards, the extra accuracy is worthwhile, and the Browning is an excellent choice. You will not, however, take such a gun to the range and shoot it for pleasure.

I have a 300 Win Mag with the BOSS. Bought it b4 the CR BOSS came out. Very Accurate and Very, Very LOUD. So Loud that I am considering selling it. Cant take the noise and my ears ringing for a week after shooting at game (while hunting with no hearing protection). I guess Im beginning to value my hearing more than my rebuilt shoulder. As for the velocity. I get pretty close to book values. My pet load is a 165g Speer Grand Slam @ 3200 fps with 82g IMR 7828. I have got 3282fps with 83g of 7828 but that was a tad bit too hot.

Hi Ben,

I spent the better part of a day on the range with a friend of mine developing loads for a Browning A-Bolt .300 Win Mag with a BOSS System. Our finding was the BOSS System worked. Adjusting of the BOSS affects the oscillation of the barrel. Managing the barrel frequency allows the rifleman to "dial-in" a particlar load. If I remember right Browning refers to this oscillation point as the "sweet-spot". I agree that velocity would be the same with or without the BOSS.

I think the BOSS equipped rifle is a good choice for the rifle nut wanting to experiment a lot and is worth the extra price.

I hope this is helpful.

B

The Boss system is a function of a persons wallet, nothing much more then that. Rifles will obviously outshoot most people under field conditions, and when they dont a Boss isnt going to fix sqwat.
Take care
smallfry

Thanks for the quick replies! The information you all gave me is great. Denton, I was hoping you could tell me a little more about the recoil on your 30-06 BAR? One of my reasons for wanting a BAR is that my 300 Win. Mag. kicks a little harder than I would like. I was hoping to get a rifle that had less felt recoil so I could do more shooting with my hunting rifle without beating up myself. The other option I had should about was getting a .260 Rem., but that is a topic for another thread. Thanks again,

Ben

The BOSS is taken directly from the french sniper rifle. It's purpose, on the french rifle, was to allow the rifle to be tuned for every new lot of ammo. It was found that X lot would shoot with a barrel weight (harmonics) tightened up or down the barrel, and would perform no better in another place.

The company that made those rifles is none other than FN, which owns, surprise, the 3 rifle companys that engage the boss system on their rifles, Winchester, Browning, and Savage.

BTW, it's only incidentially a "muzzle brake" as it's at elast equally effective in improve grouping in it's solid form, as compared to the drilled version.....

Making it, (okay I'll admit it) the only muzzle brake I can stand... as you can do load dev with the brake to reduce recoil, and then when you are in the field, it's just a "goofy" weight on the barrel.

Jeffe

too bad it aint in .510