Anyone shoot a Win Model 88?

So I finally made it out to the range to test the old girl out. Set up two targets at 100yds and fired 3 shots. Didn't even hit the paper! The gun functioned flawlessly and fed and extracted cartridges very smoothly, but obviously the scope needed some serious adjustment. Upon closer inspection of the target, I noticed that the first string did hit the target - the target 3 feet to the right! I adjusted the windage and finally got a shot on paper about 6 inches high. Adjusted the elevation and ended up 2 inches low. Made a final adjustment and shot a 3 shot group:

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Needless to say I was more than pleased with the results - just over 1" group at 100yds using Federal BlueBox 180gr soft point. I am sure this rifle is more than accurate enough for hunting.
I was also impressed with the old 4x Bushnell scope on the rifle. I compared it side by side to my Elite 3200 10x40, and I think the Bushnell was clearer, and just as bright as the 3200! I really liked the German #2 reticle as well- it seemed a little less cluttered and the tapered center post really draws your eye to the center.
Now I just gotta wait until April for the spring Black Bear season to open.
 
I don't have any of my targets to back my claim at this time for my M88 but mines one of the RARE 300-400 yard rifles you hear about either that or I've just had lots of luck shooting at those distances. At 100 yards 5 rounds are under 1 inch with Federal 150 Grain Factory ammo with my 150 Grain hand loads it's .75 inches or less at 100 yards depending on the load. I just can not shoot anything heavier then 150 or my groups look like a shotgun pattern is the only down side.

I'll die before I sell my M88. Congrats on getting one of the best lever guns in my opinion. Happy huntings.
 
huntandhook said:
I paid $350 for the rifle. I'm not sure what these are worth, but I figured that was a good price. I wasn't looking for another rifle, but I thought this would make a decent hunting rig for a reasonable price.
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Congrads, you got a super bargin at that price! Enjoy your fine lever gun....
 
i also have one in 308
inherited it when my father passed away. he shot a few deer with it.
i owned it for 9 years now and never used it for big game hunting, being left handed the safety position was not the best if i had to shoot fast. that is until i found last year that the safety
was easily reversible. LOL
now mine shoots 150 grainers better
1-1.5" with 150 gr. corelokt or 150 gr. scirrocco
i will try to handload for it soon
 
Good rifle, trigger's are awful but you can still squeeze off some good groups. I handload my .308.
42grs Varget, 165gr Sierra GK, Rem brass, Win primer.
This load will shoot perfect clover leafs @ 100yds. I would invest in some good optics,
you'll be suprised what this puppy is capable of.
Good Luck
 
huntandhook said:
So I finally made it out to the range to test the old girl out. Set up two targets at 100yds and fired 3 shots. Didn't even hit the paper! The gun functioned flawlessly and fed and extracted cartridges very smoothly, but obviously the scope needed some serious adjustment. Upon closer inspection of the target, I noticed that the first string did hit the target - the target 3 feet to the right! I adjusted the windage and finally got a shot on paper about 6 inches high. Adjusted the elevation and ended up 2 inches low. Made a final adjustment and shot a 3 shot group:

DSC00720-1.jpg


Needless to say I was more than pleased with the results - just over 1" group at 100yds using Federal BlueBox 180gr soft point. I am sure this rifle is more than accurate enough for hunting.
I was also impressed with the old 4x Bushnell scope on the rifle. I compared it side by side to my Elite 3200 10x40, and I think the Bushnell was clearer, and just as bright as the 3200! I really liked the German #2 reticle as well- it seemed a little less cluttered and the tapered center post really draws your eye to the center.
Now I just gotta wait until April for the spring Black Bear season to open.
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I would suggest dropping down to atleast 150gr for the .308 if you are going to shoot factory ammo. IMO, 180gr is'nt the best weight for this cal.
You can get much better ballistics with a lighter bullet say, 168gr and down.
 
best hunting rifle I've ever oned. even went to the trubble to have one barreled in 22-250. when I registered it , they sent it back as a .308 ,refused to register as a 22-250
 
One thing all 88 owners should be aware of is malfunctioning safety. Don't ever rely on the safety of the model 88 (or any firearm). Unexplained discharges on rifles with the safety on was a problem you wont hear about much anymore. Even after several modifications to the trigger group the problem was never completely solved. Carrying a live round in the chamber with the safety on while hunting is a definite no no.
 
JerryJeffWalker said:
One thing all 88 owners should be aware of is malfunctioning safety. Don't ever rely on the safety of the model 88 (or any firearm). Unexplained discharges on rifles with the safety on was a problem you wont hear about much anymore. Even after several modifications to the trigger group the problem was never completely solved. Carrying a live round in the chamber with the safety on while hunting is a definite no no.
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Really? I've never heard of that, and I've researched 88's a lot. When do they discharge? How? Bump? drop? Trigger pull?
 
Billyboy13 said:
Really? I've never heard of that, and I've researched 88's a lot. When do they discharge? How? Bump? drop? Trigger pull?
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Its been as subtle as a hunter walking on flat ground with the rifle slung on one shoulder. That would make me quite jumpy! I don't think I've ever heard of trigger pull. Just watch out and keep it in mind.
 
RR said:
How did it feed ? 88 man on the gunsmith forum wants to build one.
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I looked around a little and found some reports of accidental discharges on the "front sight" forum. The main problem being disscussed now seems to be the firing pin breaking and sticking through the firing pin hole, causing slam fires before the bolt is closed. That problem must have overshadowed the unexplained accidental discharges with the safety in the on position.
 
I think you're talking about the M100. It would develop a burr on the pin causing it to remain sticking through the bolt face, causing slam fires. Like I said, I've read everything written (arguably) about the 88 and I've never heard of that. The M100, though, is well known for it's firing pin recall.
 
Billyboy13 said:
I think you're talking about the M100. It would develop a burr on the pin causing it to remain sticking through the bolt face, causing slam fires. Like I said, I've read everything written (arguably) about the 88 and I've never heard of that. The M100, though, is well known for it's firing pin recall.
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Check out "front sight" forum, you'll have to do some digging but you'll find it. Not all things written on M88's is on the net mate.
 
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