On the positive side the boss does let you tune the gun for a specific load which can help accuracy a great deal with some loads.On the negative side all boss equipped rifles have a shorter barrel which results in a loss of velocity.The boss on my rifle also came loose a couple of times which changes the point of impact noticeably.If the boss with the brake is used you must wear hearing protection at all times ,even when hunting because it greatly increases the sound volume to the shooter.I also find that I can achieve just as good or better accuracy with handloading than with the boss.
I don't have a browning boss but I have the same type on my remington (custom made brake just like the boss system) it works very well on reducing the recoil and you can dial it in the shoot very good groups. The barrel on my Remington is now about 3-1/2"- 4" longer (the barrel didn't get cut) The down side to this is the loud noise it makes when you shoot it. Ear plug are a must!
Hardhitn06, these guys are absolutely correct. Hearing protection is a must. I have a buddy that has a 300 Win Mag with a boss on it. I don't even like being near that thing when it goes off, even with hearing protection. As loud as it is for the shooter, it's far worse for bystanders. My teeth hurt when that thing goes off.
I've had a few Brownings and have never felt the need to "deal" with the BOSS. They've always been very accurate right out of the box, once you find the load it likes. And, I haven't had to suffer in the velocity aspect because of the shorter barrel.
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Danny
Life Member, North American Hunting Club
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Life Member, Buckmasters
Oklahoma Hunter Education Instructor
The boss is a great idea, dialing in the barrel whip for different loads. Drawback is "i hate brakes", and two makes the gun too long. I have seen the boss without the cutouts for brakes and they are nice. But overall, I get my brownings without BOSS. Just not worth the hassle.
Thanks for all your replies! I also have one and I agree that they are loud. The first shot I took without ear protection, I just wanted to curl up in the fetal position and start sucking my thumb. That hurt. I've since started using the "CR" attachment for hunting and just take the recoil. I was just interested in other people's experience trying to dial in a load. Everything I feed my rifle seems to group better than I am able to shoot at 100yds with a 9 power scope (1.375" or better). I haven't really had much need for tuning the load yet. Maybe I need a more powerful scope. Thanks again!
Hardhitn, I have a boss on my M70 300 win mag. I love this gun for its versatility and the BOSS definitely helps there. When you can tune your barrel from 220 grain bullets to 150 gr , thats a big plus. Quick detatch scope rings and the money for 2 zeiss scope to go with different bullet sizes --- priceless
Everything I feed my rifle seems to group better than I am able to shoot at 100yds with a 9 power scope (1.375" or better).
Most guns will shoot that well or better with factory loads without a boss and the drawbacks that it adds.Tikka rifles for instance must shoot 1" groups before leaving the factory and they cost less than the boss equipped rifles.The 9 power scope is not the problem as many people shoot much smaller groups using 9 power scopes.It sounds like you need more shooting practise to take advantage of your rifles accuracy potential.
If you handload, they might not be worth the trouble. My M70 .300 stainless WinMag shoots great with only one slug (Sierra Pro Hunters, 1 MOA all the way to 600 yards), but I went through a boatload of ammo to get there. None of the "premium" bullets worked.
I installed the CR version to lessen hearing damage in the field, and I'm glad I did.
When it wears out (3,000 shots and still shoots great) I'll probably just replace it with a custom barrel. I'll get 2" more barrel and should be able to find a load that woeks just as well.
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Never trust a bow under 40 (inches).
The funny thing that Browning did to shoot themselves in the foot was to introduce the BOSS systems. You and I know the advantages of the system, but Joe Blow walking into the gun shop for the first time, won't look at it that way. In a nut shell, it makes it sound like their rifles won't shoot right without it, and their standard guns just are'nt accurate. This is not the case. I have never owned a bolt rifle that would not shoot worse than 1.5", at it's worse. And thats not bad. Considering most game is taken well under 300 yards, (or 200, or 150, whoevers work your reading at the time) and I belive that to be true. There are the few 500 yard shots you'll make, but at 300, your 1.5" gun can still thread that bullet through a deers lungs. So the BOSS will help your gun shoot better, but how dead do you need that critter? I don't think it's worth the trade offs. I.E: increased muzzle blast, reduced barrel length, more technology incorporated into modern rifles, unsightly appearance, etc. But this is just my opinion, don't mean to insult the BOSS lovers out there.
Browning BOSS
