Cool story , but I still won’t buy it. Over rated imo . I have great success with cheap ass Herters .
No matter what you use you still have to hit them .

 

Cool story , but I still won’t buy it. Over rated imo . I have great success with cheap ass Herters .

 

One of the wonderful aspects of America is the freedom to choose what aligns best with our preferences. Personally, I find it quite gratifying that we no longer necessarily require 3 ½” BB steel loads, as they have become somewhat outdated. The advent of copper-plated BOSS or tungsten shot, combined with cleaner-burning powders, has truly transformed the game.

What's particularly striking is that these modern powders, used by BOSS, enable us to downsize our shell size, resulting in reduced recoil. Moreover, the cleaner powder ensures that our shots retain energy even beyond 25 yards, allowing us to enhance pattern density by using smaller shot sizes. It's somewhat surprising to reflect on how, just three years ago, I never would have imagined switching to 2 3/4" #5s for early season geese. Yet, the results have consistently proven this choice effective.

While shot placement undeniably plays a crucial role, pairing it with a superior product is a game-changer. Additionally, the availability of lower-recoil, less lethal loads addresses an imminent need – involving more young people in the sport. Gone are the days when a 10-gauge or 12-gauge 3.5" was deemed essential for waterfowl hunting. Nowadays, you can be just as effective with a 28-gauge or 20-gauge, a development I view as a game changer.

I'd like to emphasize that individual preferences should always guide our choices. For me, supporting Michigan companies takes priority, especially when they've been instrumental in reshaping the industry, with even major brands attempting to emulate their success.

 

One of the wonderful aspects of America is the freedom to choose what aligns best with our preferences. Personally, I find it quite gratifying that we no longer necessarily require 3 ½” BB steel loads, as they have become somewhat outdated. The advent of copper-plated BOSS or tungsten shot, combined with cleaner-burning powders, has truly transformed the game.

What's particularly striking is that these modern powders, used by BOSS, enable us to downsize our shell size, resulting in reduced recoil. Moreover, the cleaner powder ensures that our shots retain energy even beyond 25 yards, allowing us to enhance pattern density by using smaller shot sizes. It's somewhat surprising to reflect on how, just three years ago, I never would have imagined switching to 2 3/4" #5s for early season geese. Yet, the results have consistently proven this choice effective.

While shot placement undeniably plays a crucial role, pairing it with a superior product is a game-changer. Additionally, the availability of lower-recoil, less lethal loads addresses an imminent need – involving more young people in the sport. Gone are the days when a 10-gauge or 12-gauge 3.5" was deemed essential for waterfowl hunting. Nowadays, you can be just as effective with a 28-gauge or 20-gauge, a development I view as a game changer.

I'd like to emphasize that individual preferences should always guide our choices. For me, supporting Michigan companies takes priority, especially when they've been instrumental in reshaping the industry, with even major brands attempting to emulate their success.

Which "modern powders" are they using?

When were these powders first manufactured?

Explain how "cleaner burning powder ensures that shot retains energy beyond 25 yards" over a different powder when the same payload leaves the muzzle at the same velocity.

I think it's great BOSS helped SK put his dads ashes in shells for his buddies to shoot. Butch was a good man and helped a lot of waterfowlers out over the years. The waterfowl hunting community lost a great person and a very knowledgeable resource when he passed. He is certainly missed by those that knew him.

 

I’ll be buying from Boss once I run out of my current supply of ammo.

 

With steel going up exponentially in cost, these shells have become more attractive. However results I’ve seen in the field have been poles apart. Gimped up 30 yard birds crashing two zones over at Muskegon then spread skirters at Fennville getting railed like God himself smited them from the sky.

 

I likely have enough non-tox ammo to last me the rest of my hunting life. IF I needed to buy some I would try shooting the Boss ammo. The 1 1/8 ounce of #7 shot for 20ga is VERY interesting. It should be amazing on divers out of a layout

 

If I were younger I would LOVE to do my own "testing" on Boss shotshells. Much of what they produce goes back to the days when I loaded my own lead shotshells. A 3" 1 1/4 load of 6's at around 1330FPS would be a nice wall of shot on incoming divers. Maybe even the same load in 7 1/2's

 

Love BOSS. Like others, I need to burn through my stock pile of steel before I can justify buying more. Bought some and tried it out west on snow geese. Knocked a couple down at 50yds. I've never been able to do that with steel.

 

My grandfather sent me down a tote of shells the other day. A couple boxes were a reminder of my youth. Except with 3.5" shells.

I'm onboard the Bismuth train but started reloading my own end of last season after getting frustrated with my current inventory of steel. If I were buying shells right now I'd buy BOSS in a heartbeat. I've killed birds with a lot of sizes of steel but love the pellet count of bismuth.

Switched hulls to a cheddite 2 3/4" with 1.19oz #5. Load should be really close to a BOSS clone. Still working out some kinks...but it's getting closer.

152 hits on a less than 30" chunk of cardboard 30 yards standing snap shot.

 

Those Federal classics were hands down my favorite.

 

I have shot some darn good steel over the years, can no longer get it. When I had a good employee discount I shot Kent Impact. That stuff hit as hard as lead used to hit. Can no longer afford it.

 

I likely have enough non-tox ammo to last me the rest of my hunting life. IF I needed to buy some I would try shooting the Boss ammo. The 1 1/8 ounce of #7 shot for 20ga is VERY interesting. It should be amazing on divers out of a layout

If I were younger I would LOVE to do my own "testing" on Boss shotshells. Much of what they produce goes back to the days when I loaded my own lead shotshells. A 3" 1 1/4 load of 6's at around 1330FPS would be a nice wall of shot on incoming divers. Maybe even the same load in 7 1/2's

I have a bag of #7 bismuth I picked up a few years ago. I originally intended for my kid to use it in the 20 gauge. Now he wants to run a 12...so I think I get to be the test pilot.

Can't wait to see how it looks on paper and in practice.

 

I have shot some darn good steel over the years, can no longer get it. When I had a good employee discount I shot Kent Impact. That stuff hit as hard as lead used to hit. Can no longer afford it.

Firmly convinced the shells ammo manufacturers put out during the latest ammo crunch is absolute garbage.

 

I have no idea. What ammo I have purchased of late was made by Bear Creek Ballistics. They have a quality product.

I do have a case of Rio, 3", BB, steel that I need to get rid of.

 

brandon and lisa were key in helping me load my dads ashes into a few cases of shells. I made a promise to my dad that i would load him into shells and let his buddies shoot ducks with him. So shiawassee butch shells became a reality I cannot thank them enough for making his wishes come to reality.

 

that really nice of them to do for your family

TD

 

That is something special. Amazing!

 

I’ve been shooting their shells for three years now and have noticed more birds folding up at slightly longer distances. Unlike steel they do like a tighter choke which could explain why some might not see the difference. Are they exponentially better than steel, I doubt it, but I think they are better shells. I also love that they are a MI company. If you ever are in the area stop by they are great people that will spend time talking to you.

I actually went to the old building when I was in the area to pick up some shells a couple years ago. I ended up getting a short factory tour and talked about some of the stuff they were working on. Great experience.

 

Patterning "tighter" is one of the reasons that I have not tried their ammo, besides the cost. Shooting longer distances is not a goal of mine. 30 yards is fine. When I can see them blink, better. LOL! It sticking to that means fewer birds taken, no problem, there will also be fewer cripples and misses.

 

This I can agree with , a lot of new hunters and old don’t know how to Decoy birds . They need all the extra help they can get I guess.

 

Boss is obviously not for everyone.

I love Boss shells. "Deader" birds in my opinion. Great Michigan based company.

Thanks for highlighting them GK.

 

I have a two steel loads / choke combos that several people here have watched me ball up birds when they didn’t even bother to reach for their guns. That load has been the difference between coming home with birds and driving 200 miles to freeze all day for nothing. It’s kinda cool when you’re already switching to the second bird before the first is hit as you know the first one is dead as soon as the trigger is pulled.

As for cripples my logs say less than 4% lost year in and out and most years we are net positive as we find way more than we lose. Always try to be set up early and do a walk about. Get a lot of freecoys and gear that way too.

 

and they work very well