Browning's BOSS system...

[Dingo]

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qna/detail.asp?id=107

Been eyeing a varmint rifle on AL with this setup - never heard of it before. Browning's page is a little vague on what exactly it is - anybody try one, or have an opinion on it?

[kidicarus13]

I owned one in 7mm and IMHO: On paper...

...In reality I didnt have the time nor money to spend on ammo to figure out the proper setting(s). Then multiply that by each different grain bullet and different manufacturers. In other words, a 175gr Federal bullet will create different harnonic vibrations than a 150gr Federal bullet and the BOSS will need to be adjusted accordinglty. And potentially, a 175gr Federal bullet could have a different harmonic vibration than a 175gr Remington bullet. If you're going to buy it, stick with the same ammo and you should be good once it's sighted in. I never really enjoyed shooting more than 20rds of 7mm at any one time either though.

[Robb]

If you're a dedicated reloader with tons of time you can get excellent results from a BOSS equipped rifle.

However, if you're not a reloader you better have a large budget for ammo and a lot of time to spend at a range. It's expensive to get them totally dialed in correctly. I would avoid them. I have 2 BOSS equipped Brownings and they are just way more trouble then they're worth. If you're using factory ammo and do in fact get it dialed in and then can't find that exact weight and brand of ammo you start over again. I wish I had never bought mine and am still considering having BPTactical do a hacksaw and recrown job on mine.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Haven't used this but it sounds like an adjustable version of what I've read about precision shooters doing: trimming the barrel and recrowning so the bullet exits the muzzle with as little induced motion as possible. The barrel vibrates as the bullet goes down and these vibrations are conveyed to the bullet. The basic theory is that you can cut the barrel so the muzzle coincides with a resonant frequency, thereby minimizing the barrel vibrations. You can also alter those vibrations by adjusting the mass/moment of inertia at the muzzle which is what I'm guessing this does. Their manual says they've already determined the average Sweet Spot for a variety of popular rounds so you could install this on a given rifle, dial in the average Sweet Spot to start then test fire until you've hit the optimal sweet spot for your particular rifle and ammo. Sounds like it would be a lot easier and cheaper than trimming the barrel and recrowning repetitively until you find the perfect length (and avoid overshooting it!).

[Dingo]

Good grief.... I'm excited when I get on paper at 300 yards - don't think my skills require something of this finesse. Thanks for the info, guys!

[Robb]

Aloha,

You're dead on as far as this being a way to adjust barrel harmonics.
This issue with Brownings website and manual is it is very incomplete. I haven't looked at it lately but before a year ago it hadn't been updated in years. I searched the web and could never find a BOSS users group or whatever to help out. And those are not determined Sweet Spots, they're just recommended starting points. No way you can just dial it in to what's on the manual and shoot one hole groups. If you're a real range junky and a tinkerer this is the gadget for you. But I'd still recommend you avoid them.

[Great-Kazoo]

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qna/detail.asp?id=107

Been eyeing a varmint rifle on AL with this setup - never heard of it before. Browning's page is a little vague on what exactly it is - anybody try one, or have an opinion on it?

The BOSS system has been out for some time, although not really to much praise. As mentioned if you're not a reloader there are better ways to spend your money.

[spyder]

It's been around since the early to mid 90's.

[laportecharlie]

I had a Stainless Stalker in 280 Rem with the BOSS system. As stated above you could wear out a barrel (and your wallet) getting one dialed in for different loads. In my case the effective barrel length was only 20" and I could never get decent velocity out of it. I ended up sending the gun to Darrell Holland in Oregon and he re-barreled it with a 26" Schneider barrel in 280 Ackley Improved. What a difference! Near 7 Mag velocity and by far the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.

[Robb]

What did a rebarrel set you back, if you don't mind me asking. I've considered it but where I've looked in the past, it was equal to, if not more than a new rifle.

[BPTactical]

Pain in the ass.

[<MADDOG>]

My $.02.

Don't do it! Read above!