Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Browning BOSS?

Anyone familiar with the Browning BOSS system? I remember them being somewhat popular in the 90's, but you don't see them much anymore. I snagged a stainless ABolt 7mm-08 today with a synthetic stock, which I *think* was called their Stalker, and it has the BOSS in place. I've never owned one before, and curious if anyone has played around with one (and actually seen positive results).

Some have had OK results - others not.. .Most have hated 'em and Win/Browning dropped that offering rather quickly due to chitty sales.. I've had several owners have me cut off those pos BOSS units and recrown the barrels..

I had one for a number of years, a .280 Rem. At the time, I was straight out of school and had neither space or means to hand load. I followed the instructions precisely, used the cheat sheet Browning used to supply with it as a starting point for different bullet weights, and it worked. I could pick the factory load I wanted to use, tune the barrel to it, and buy as many boxes as I wanted because once I had the settings dialed and recorded for each one, I could return it to that anytime I wanted when I switched loads for different purposes. With the tuning process, every load I tried ended up under an inch, two of them way under. The difference in the group size was irrefutable and repeatable between out of tune and in tune settings.

I don't own the rifle anymore. Got older, well down the hand loading trail, decided I didn't like the look of it and didn't need the tuning ability for factory loads any more, so I sold it instead of cutting off the BOSS. But, to your question: yes, the system works well if you follow the instructions properly and have the patience to do the tuning.

1). They work.

2). They are ugly as sin.

3). They are louder than hell.

^^^ Mr Bin speaks the truth. I still have one in 300WM - lefty. She shoots MOA all day long. I've made some decent kills out around 400+/-. You will NOT be making any friends at the range. You can, however, put the sleeve on instead of the ported unit. There are charts online to dial it in to your load as well as a Browning You-Tube vid explaining how it works.

Pretty much this for those I know that had them. That said - I'd like to think that bullet/brass/powder components are getting much better than they were 20-30 years ago when BOSS came out (yeah, early 90 is almost 30 years) and because of that - "tuning" for a hunting rig isn't as necessary today - given the better gear we have. You're going to be plenty accurate.

The loudness is what would make me break out the sawzall.

What is funny is people complaining about the noise and the looks, but I have known people to send off their non comped guns to get one put on and many new rifles are threaded for Suppressor or Comp. You folks are right about the noise, but the blast hitting the side of my face from someone shooting next to me was the worst. It weas akin to getting slapped on the side of the head.

I guy I knew in the service had a Browning BAR with BOSS in 7mm Mag. Once tuned he would shoot well under and inch with it. I have yet to see an inaccurate A-Bolt without BOSS, so I doubt it is necessary on one of those.

I know a guy who touched off a 7mmRM with the Boss unit of his new rifle still inside the confines of his box stand. He said it “got instant daylight” in that stand, and he fell to the floor, floating down in a whirlwind of leaves and candybar wrappers. Might have been a touch theatrical, but it made for a good story and a sound lesson (pun there).

I have an ABolt in 3006 with the boss. It shoots great. Inset the BOSS up based on there suggestion for my ammo. I never felt the need to fine tune it. I really like the rifle but I never got warmed up to that thing on the barrel. I got the rifle for $0 so I never considered selling it. I used it a couple years to kill Alabama whitetails and hogs in FL. Been a safe queen for a decade. Noisy as heck but not too bad with the solid attachment vs the break. I think mine is a hunter with a nice wood stock.
I once removed the end piece and shot it at 100 yard target. Shot the same as it did with it on. I was worried I would screw up the threads so I put it back on. Some day I might put a new tube on it like 25-06.

This in a nutshell.

Multiple people in this thread have talked about "cutting them off". Why not just buy a thread protector? On another note, like others, I've heard nothing but good things with respect to their functionality when utilized per the instructions. They were an easy pass for me; but, apparently they worked as intended.

Yep 👍 pard had a 300 win, my god that bastard was loud!! Think Winchester got on board for a spell too,

I liked the first one I bought in 94 so I bought a spare the next year just in case. Very close to a 3 shot, one hole group hunting rifle in 300win. The noise is the only down fall of the boss.

I have one on an M70 .30-06. Mine came with a solid sleeve also so it's no more noisy than any '06 with that installed instead of the ported one. It is ugly to the point that I bought a non-BOSS take off barrel to replace it, but I can't bring myself to swap it out 'cause it shoots so well! I guess ugly is as ugly does........

Exactly, and if my M70 280 is typical, you also lose some velocity because the barrel is effectively shorter.

And at one time you could get a “BOSS CR”: (Conventional Recoil) . It screws on to the barrel in place of the nuzzle break. Noise is less but recoil is “normal”

You can still find the CR devices online, I've been looking at a few on eBay. I measured mine, getting rid of the threads would drop the barrel back to roughly 19". Honestly, I would probably trade it off before doing that. I haven't had a chance to measure the thread pitch, so I am not sure if it is a standard thread or not...I do know that the CR devices aren't the same. If it uses a "common" thread, may be worthwhile to cut it down enough to use a thread protector, and have the option to suppress.

My original plan was to send the rifle to JES for a rebore to .338 Federal, but may end up using a Sako L579 Forester instead.

Yes ugly but, so are a lot of brakes and suppressors. They do work. I’ve owned three A-Bolts with them. 300 Win Mag Medallion, 25-06 Hunter and still have a 280 Hunter. And the conventional recoil system dampens the noise to normal. Barrel length is 22” for standard calibers and 24” for magnum. No different for anything else. I’ve actually screwed the BOSS completely off and measured it. Also shot it that way and was able to get one hole groups with hand loads. I normally run max safe loads in the 280 I still have, adjust the BOSS so it shoots bug holes,record same and rock on. I would also double check the threads to see if they are commonly used for suppressors or brakes and possibly pick up a thread protector. A gunsmith could likely clean up the measurement markings fairly easy as well.

Yes they work, ported ones were loud and the conventional recoil ones were just like any other standard barrel. I have one and it works very well my father had one and his shot exceptionally well.

Has an Abolt in 300 Win Mag with one. Killed a ton of elk and mulies with it. Dam near a one-hole gun at 200 yards with Fail Safe ammo. Bought it new and foolishly sold it.

Yup they work but are loud.

Friend had two Brown A-bolts that shot tight groups after adjusting the BOSS. A 300 WSM and a 223. He would buy ammo cans full of 223 at a gun show then tweak the BOSS to get optimal accuracy for that lot of ammo.

For those who hate the noise there was a CR version that had no holes. I have no idea where one could be purchased but I would think anyone with access to a lathe could make one.

https://www.browning.com/news/tech-terms/boss-rifle-accuracy-system.html

Agreed, however, I'm surprised with the popularity of suppressors that the BOSS rifles haven't done a complete 180.

Think about it, they're threaded, and would make a suppressor "tunable".

I was working at a gun shop during college when Browning/Winchester launched the BOSS. Browning gave us a "deal" on blued/syn BOSS A-Bolts. Any chambering from 223 up through 338Win Mag for I believe it was $315. I bought one in 300Win and it shot everything very well with minimal tuning. Eventually I sold it and bought a M70 SS Classic in 300Win that I still have, sans brake, and it shoot every bit as good as the A-Bolt did. I bought a 2nd M70 SS Classic from a friend that originally had a BOSS. I had it cut back to 23" and re-crowned. It too shoots well and is quite a handy package.

I may have one of those "Control Recoil" devices sitting around from a stainless B.O.S.S. if anybody is in need of one, gratis of course.

I have a no-hole adapter on my A-bolt, but it is three times longer than it needs to be. I just want a thread protector-not a 4” tube screwed on the end of the barrel. Why Browning has to complicate everything is beyond me. A good machinist could possibly modify it, but I have been sitting on having this done for 20 years. The rifle was a Christmas gift from my wife and that is the only reason it is still sitting in the back of my safe and not someone else’s problem.

Browning made the BOSS CR (Conventional Recoil) end that long so that the tuning between the brake and the CR remained constant.

Yes-I understand the objective, but my rifle shoot 1” groups with the “devise” removed and with the threads exposed. I have experimented using duck tape as a makeshift thread protector, and it did not adversely effect the accuracy of my rifle. It is a 300 Win mag, so cutting back to 22”and re-crowning the barrel also does not work for me.

I bought an Abolt 270 in 1991 and eventually burned out the barrel on it. A friends dad had a 270 Abolt with BOSS that was virtually brand new that he wanted to make into a 25-06 so I bought the barrel off of him and had it installed.

I only shot it once or twice after installing. No tuning involved. I shot two handloads that I had on hand and both shot sub MOA. Very accurate. I was interested with other rifles and put it in the back of my safe and it has been sitting there ever since. I keep meaning to shoot it more but other projects get in the way. It is a very light recoiling little set up.

I don't have any complaints about it, but I shoot guns with brakes on them in the field and use ear plugs so I guess I am used to it.

I bought mine new in ‘95 and it has been my go-to since
30-06. A-bolt stainless
Get rid of the muzzle brake and go w the CR version
Shooting touching clover leafs ain’t ugly
I switched to a suppressor in 2013 or so, I am surprised too that the BOSS hasn’t taken off as a suppressor host, as it can be tuned

If someone says to cut it off they are not in-tune with what it does (pun-get it?).

Mine is tuned with 165g Supeformance Hornady running chrono’d 2900fps (20” barrel) shooting 2-3” groups at 400y thru the suppressor
With the suppressor there is no kick

They tell me I am supposed to switch to a 6.5 creedmore but I am not sure why….
Not for accuracy velocity trajectory or recoil compared to my current situation

I can probably use it, do you know what it came off of? I know there are a few different versions...

I have had one in .30/06 since I bought it new in 1996. Followed the instructions and had the rifle shooting 5 shot one-hole groups at 100m in an afternoon. Tuning it to different loads has proved just as easy, and if you write the setting down you can easily return to it.

Yes, the original BOSS is ported, and like all muzzle brakes that makes it loud, but mine's a BOSS-CR so that is not an issue.

Being able to tune the rifle to a load, rather than having to try different loads to tune them to the rifle, is a brilliant bit of thinking IMHO, and far outweighs any trivial concern about looks. I think that it is a great pity that the idea didn't catch on.

I had a 22-250 and a 300 WM. If I had to guess, I would guess it came off of the 300.

I have a model 70 in 22-250 with the BOSS with both the brake and the solid end. I bought the rifle mainly with the idea of rebarreling it, because I have no real use for a 22-250. In the little bit I've shot it I've found the BOSS annoying and worthless. On solid question no one could answer is how much of a change in the BOSS setting is needed to make a difference.

The first day I got mine, 2nd 5shot volley, 1/2” 5shot group off of a so-so rest, with factory ammo, 9 power scope

This is in the mid-90’s when the magazines were full of articles about bedding ur rifle and a much different set of expectations for an off the shelf factory stock rifle and ammo

The downside is if you are shooting some ammo that isn’t in the browning factory charts you could go thru a bucket full of ammo to find the sweet spot

Most people like myself that had or have them will tell you they shoot good so in my humble opinion its just a matter of personal taste as to if you can live with that on the end of your barrel. I got mine given to me and I wouldn't have bought it given a choice. I dont have threaded barrels on any of the other rifles I have purchased and likely wont have. I just dont care for the look of them. Some guys are more geared toward utility. My guess is if you are one of those guys that views his rifle a tool only you can get a great deal on a great shooting rifle with a BOSS system on it.

Have a A-Bolt medallion in 7mag that i got in the early 90's when the BOSS system first came out and as others have mentioned, it is loud as hell. However, I also have the CR as well (conventional recoil). There is no POI change from swapping from on to the other while at the range. So when I'm at the range shooting a good bit, I use the ported brake, when hunting, I use the CR for those just in case moments, if i forget my ear plugs. The only issue you may find is that the newer ammo off the shelf doesn't correlate to the older setpoints. It will give you somewhat of a starting point, but that's it. And if you reload, then its about the same.

My only experience with them is when the guy on the adjoining hunting property touches off a round with his, I know exactly which rifle he is using.........

My departed neighbor (RIP) bought a Model 70 in .30-06 at Cabela'a about 15 years ago and that rifle shot very well indeed. At the time I had a yearning for a Model 70 in .30-06 and they seemed to be pretty elusive, but I finally found one that had the BOSS on it. I had no interest in shooting factory loads and I went to work on it and struggled mightily for months trying to get it tuned to a load, but it seemed to be an exercise in futility. I finally found a new Classic in .25-06 and ordered it and put mine up for sale. In the meantime I had loaded up some more trial loads, so while the new rifle was on order I took the BOSS equipped rifle out for one more spin and wouldn't you just know it...it shot. That very afternoon I got a call on the rifle and the man really wanted it and I really wanted the new Model 70 classic, so I met the man and he took possession of it. I've always wondered.

While I still had that rifle I found the brake to be extremely obnoxious and ordered the CR device for it. It worked. I think Midwest Gun Works still sells them.

During my struggles with the .25-06 I searched for all the information I could find on tuning the BOSS, hoping it would help me get lucky. Here's some copy-n-paste of what I dug up (note that the data are different between A-Bolts and BARs):


(sorry, I am having difficulty with the formatting of this info)

 
Question:
I have a Browning rifle with the BOSS. What is the "Sweet Spot" setting for my firearm? Answer:
The following are suggested "Sweet Spot" settings for Browning rifles that have the optional BOSS (Ballistic Optimizing Shooting System) .  New loads and bullet weights may need different settings.  This chart is only a guide.

Suggested "Sweet Spots"
 
Caliber
Bullet Weight
Ammo Manufacturer
A-Bolt
Average
Sweet Spot*
BAR
Average
Sweet Spot
375 H&H
270
 
2.3
 
375 H&H
300
 
4.5
 
338 Win. Mag.
250
Federal
6.75
4.25
338 Win. Mag.
230
Winchester
5.25
 
338 Win. Mag.
225
Federal
5.25
0.5
338 Win. Mag.
210
Federal
4
1
338 Win. Mag.
200
Federal
3.25
3.25
325 WSM
220
Winchester
1.0
 
325 WSM
200
Winchester
10.0
 
325 WSM
180
Winchester
9.8
 
300 Win. Mag.
220
Winchester
 
6
300 Win. Mag.
200
Federal
3-3.5
3
300 Win. Mag.
190
Winchester
 
4
300 Win. Mag.
180
Winchester
 
4
300 Win. Mag.
(for A-Bolt II M1000 only)
180
Winchester
9
 
300 Win. Mag.
180
Federal
8.5
3
300 Win. Mag.
178
Remington
1
 
300 Win. Mag.
165
Hornady
1
1
300 Win. Mag.
(for A-Bolt II M1000 only)
165
Hornady
3
 
300 Win. Mag.
150
Winchester
9
9
300 Win. Mag.
(for A-Bolt II M1000 only)
150
Federal
1.5
 
300 Win. Mag.
140
 
 
1
300 Win. Mag.
 
Fail Safe (Black Talon)
 
4
30-06 Springfield
220
Winchester
10-10.5
7
30-06 Springfield
180
Hornady
10
5.25
30-06 Springfield
180
Federal
5
5
30-06 Springfield
175
Federal
7.2
 
30-06 Springfield
165
Federal
 
2
30-06 Springfield
165
Winchester
 
2.5
30-06 Springfield
165
Hornady
3
3
30-06 Springfield
150
Hornady
3
2.25
30-06 Springfield
150
Federal
1.5
2
300 WSM
150gr. BST
Winchester
1
0.5
300 WSM
180gr. PP
Winchester
1
1
300 WSM
180gr. FS
Winchester
3
10
308 Win.
200
 
3.25
 
308 Win.
180
Federal
5.25
5
308 Win.
168
Hornady
4
3.5
308 Win.
(for A-Bolt II Varmint only)
168
Hornady
4-4.25
 
308 Win.
150
Federal
2.5
2.5
308 Win.
(for A-Bolt II Varmint only
150
Federal
2.5
 
280 Rem.
165
Remington
6
 
280 Rem.
150
Federal
2.5
 
280 Rem.
140
Federal
4
 
7mm Rem. Mag.
180
Federal
 
5
7mm Rem. Mag.
175
 
8
5
7mm Rem. Mag.
168
Hornady
 
3
7mm Rem. Mag.
165
Federal
6-6.5
6
7mm Rem. Mag.
162
Hornady
5.75
5.75
7mm Rem. Mag.
160
Federal
5.75
3.5
7mm Rem. Mag.
160
Nos. Part
4
3.5
7mm Rem. Mag.
150
Federal
2-3
2
7mm Rem. Mag.
154
Hornady
5.75
5.75
7mm Rem. Mag.
140
 
2.5
1.5
7mm Rem. Mag.
139
Hornady
2.5
2.5
7mm Rem. Mag.
120
Hornady
1
1
7mm WSM
140gr. BST
Winchester
1.25
6.5
7mm WSM
150gr. PP
Winchester
4
0.5
7mm WSM
160gr. FS
Winchester
.5
0.0
7mm-08 Rem.
140
 
2.0
 
7mm-08 Rem.
120
 
1.0
 
7mm-08 Rem.
130
 
1.8
 
270 Win.
150
Federal
6
4
270 Win.
140
Remington
3-3.5
3
270 Win.
130
Federal
2.5
2
270 Win.
100
Remington
1
0
270 WSM
130gr. BST
Winchester
1.25
2
270 WSM
140gr. FS
Winchester
2
7
270 WSM
150gr. PP
Winchester
.3
8
260 Rem.
140
 
.5
 
260 Rem.
120
 
2
 
25 WSSM
85gr. BST
Winchester
1
 
25 WSSM
115gr. BST
Winchester
1
 
25 WSSM
120gr. PEP
Winchester
0
 
25-06 Rem.
122
 
6
 
25-06 Rem.
117
Federal
6
 
25-06 Rem.
100
Hornady
3.5
 
25-06 Rem.
90
Winchester
2.25
 
25-06 Rem.
85
B Tip.
2.6
 
243 WSSM
55 gr. BST
Winchester
.5
 
243 WSSM
95 gr. BST
Winchester
1.5
 
243 WSSM
100 gr. PP
Winchester
6.3
 
243 Win.
100
Winchester
5
2.5
243 Win.
80
Federal
3
2.25
243 Win.
85
 
 
 
223 WSSM
55 Gr. BST
Winchester
8
 
223 WSSM
55 Gr. PSP
Winchester
10
 
223 WSSM
64 Gr. PP
Winchester
9.5
 
.223 Rem.
55
Federal
7
 
223 Rem.
53
Federal
6.5
 
223 Rem.
(for A-Bolt II Varmint only)
40
Winchester
4
 
223 Rem.
40
Winchester
4
 
22-250 Rem.
55
 
5.5
 
22-250 Rem.
52
Winchester
4
 
22-250 Rem.
(for A-Bolt II Varmint only)
52
Winchester
5
 
22-250 Rem.
(for A-Bolt II Varmint only)
40
Federal
4
 
22-250 Rem.
40
Federal
2.5
 
More information on the BOSS can be found here.
A video demonstrating the BOSS can be found here.
If your question still remains unanswered, please call our Consumer Department directly at: 800.333.3288 or 801.876.2711

These settings are specific to Model 70:

BOSS Sweet Spot Settings
Cartridge
 Bullet Weight
 Ammo Manufacture
 Model 70 Sweet Spot*
 
 
 
 
338 Win. Mag.
250
Federal
6.6
338 Win. Mag.
225
Federal
5.5
338 Win. Mag.
200
Federal
3.5
 
 
 
 
300 Win. Mag.
220
Winchester
3.6
300 Win. Mag.
200
Federal
2.8
300 Win. Mag.
180
Winchester
0.2
 
 
 
 
30-06 Spfld.
220
Winchester
9.6
30-06 Spfld.
165
Hornady
2.0
30-06 Spfld.
150
Federal
1.8
 
 
 
 
7mm Rem. Mag.
165
Federal
6.4
7mm Rem. Mag.
150
Federal
2.2
 
 
 
 
308 Win.
180
Federal
5.5
308 Win.
150
Federal
3.1
 
 
 
 
270 Win.
150
Federal
2.5
270 Win.
130
Federal
1.1
 
 
 
 
25-06 Rem.
117
Federal
6.3
25-06 Rem.
90
Winchester
3.1
25-06 Rem.
85
B. Tip
6.3
 
 
 
 
243 Win.
100
Winchester
5.2
243 Win.
85
 
3.1
 
 
 
 
22-250 Rem.
55
 
4.0
22-250 Rem.
40
Federal
2.5
 
 
 
 
 *Average "sweet spots" represent the starting point in achieving top accuracy from your BOSS equipped Model 70.

Brakes don't make guns "louder", they just redirect the noise and make it seem louder to those in close proximity. Your neighbor could almost certainly remove the BOSS, and it would sound exactly the same. Basically, touching off a round when you're on the next property over? No difference. Touching off a round and you're on the next bench over? Big difference.

Everything old is new again. There's several companies selling barrel tuners now.

Did I say "louder?" It's funny Jason ,that over coffee after the hunts with my buddy where he used that specific rifle, I "guessed" accurately each time he pulled the trigger on his BOSS-ed rifle. But I do appreciate your expertise. Thank you.

I am about to go through this process with a Stainless Stalker in .30-06.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would share your BOSS settings for various loads.

I believe guys already posted that information. It may be hard to read though. Go back a page or 2. As for my experience, I started a thread on a rifle that has the BOSS on it. I have always been one that hated the looks, but after using it, I had a change of heart. It noticeably reduces felt recoil, and has some other benefits. A while back, I bought near identical 7mm remington magnum rifles, and the BOSS equipped rifle has less recoil. The noise of the BOSS does not bother me too much, and I am one that hates brakes. Maybe it's where I have it set, who knows??

Also, if you are a handloader, that really defeats the purpose of the BOSS. If you work up loads like I do. You can set the BOSS anywhere and fine tune the load to that setting. Where the BOSS really shines is if you only use factory ammo. Then you can tune the BOSS to your factory ammo. This was the main selling point of the BOSS.

This is an older video that explains it very well.

Browning Boss System

As others have mentioned, if you hand load, then don't use their sweet spot. Pick the middle setting and tune your load to this setting. This allows you to have adjustment on both ends of spectrum. I have been shooting a Medallion 7mag A-Bolt II since about 1994 when I got it as a kid. Wasn't until just recently I picked it up and started shooting my Tikka. Now that I reload, I plan on pulling it back out and setting it up strictly for long range. I'll tune the load to the setting of my choice then dial it in any closer if I can.

If you have ever taken it completely off, there is a plastic type strip that gives resistance to the adjustment brake section. I lost mine prob 15 years ago. Weedeater string works perfect and fits perfect in the small groove that it lays in. telling you this because it you pull it off to clean the brake, keep an eye on that strip.

Also, the "sweet spot" settings that Browning lists, do not list most of the newer high BC bullets. So as BSA mentioned, if your shooting factory ammo and it isn't listed, then find the closest one and use the method in the video or do this:

1) Put setting at 0, fire 2 shots
2) Put setting at 1, fire 2 shots, if shots open up, dial back tenths to fine tune. If shots group closer, turn to 3.
3) While n setting 3, fire 2 shots, repeat process until desired groups are found.

Also, if your not interested in the brake and the recoil is ok with you, get the CR tuner. CR (Conventional Recoil) tuner is the same as the radial brake, just not near as loud. However you will get all of the recoil like a normal rifle. In 1994 I inquired about it and Browning gave me one for free. So I have both. Not sure if they still do that or not, however it can be purchased. If you do indeed look for one, let me know, my CR case has a list of the model numbers on the back of it from 223 to 375 caliber.

Oh and at the time, people thought it was the ugliest thing that they had ever seen. Now pro shooters like Eric Cortina sell their version of their "barrel tuner" (BOSS) to the public so load can be tuned to their setup.

I've seen the BOSS work and very well at that. I'd probably look for a CR to replace the brake style BOSS.

Doesn't Eric Cortina sell a tuner?