I have been wanting a shorter barrel bolt rifle for tree stand hunting. Something in the 16.5" to 19" range. My 22"s 24"s and 26"s always seem too long and un-handy when in stands. I have considered one of the short new Rugers. Kind of pricey though. I also have a bench-rest quality gunsmith who could lop a few inches off one of my existing rifles for a decent fee. I hate to do that to proven accurate guns.

Then I got to looking at my Win .30-06 BOSS. I never use it (the BOSS adjustment that is). I just zero it with 165s and it shoots 1" at where it has always been set. I never have the time to fiddle with it much past that.

Both the standard and CR BOSS bodies are heavy 3" additions to the end of the barrel. They essentially turn the 19" barrel into 22" barrels and add a lot of weight. 19" is still the actual length so far as velocity is concerned.

So I got to thinking about testing the accuracy with the BOSS body off. Simply making it a lighter, 19” carbine. Addition through subtraction.

I know the zero will be affected and accuracy may be degraded. Heck, if it shoots too poorly, I just put the BOSS body back on and look for other options. I also know the exposed threads could be damaged if knocked around. I think this could be mitigated by simply setting the lock nut flush with the end of the threads (at the crown).

So my question is this: Is there any possible harm to the gun by taking the body off and shooting it as a 19" carbine? I can't see where there would be, but thought I would ask the knowledgeable forum?

Opinions please???

I can't see any harm, but have you ever considered just grabbing a .30-30 or .35 Rem carbine for those days on the tree stand?

Light, handy, and a joy to hunt with.... just a thought :)

I haven't had one of the Boss attachments off of a rifle, but what effects accuracy most is a good crown. How it shoots depends on what kind of crown is left when you remove it.

You sure aren't out anything taking it off and shooting it to see what it does.

I have a Remington model 7 308 carbine with an 18.5 inch barrel. It's sure a handy little rifle.

I haven't had one of the Boss attachments off of a rifle, but what effects accuracy most is a good crown. How it shoots depends on what kind of crown is left when you remove it.

You sure aren't out anything taking it off and shooting it to see what it does.

I have a Remington model 7 308 carbine with an 18.5 inch barrel. It's sure a handy little rifle.

Yeah I had my smith pillar bed this gun last year and he took the barrel off and checked the crown. It has a very slightly recessed squared crown that has always been protected by the huge BOSS body. Removing the body removes that protection (making it somewhat vunerable like most sporters).

Like yours, making this feather-weight Model 70 a 19" carbine and removing that 1/3 lb dead weight from the end of the barrel really makes it point nice.