Anyone shoot a Win Model 88?

huntandhook

huntandhook

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Hello all! I recently purchased a 1966 Winchester Model 88 in .308 Win. for what I hope was a fair price. I haven't ever seen one of these before and was wondering if anyone here has owned or shot one.
The gun seems to be in very good shape considering the age. The bluing is 100% even on the edges of the muzzle and receiver. The bore is clean and shiny, and the action has to be one of the smoothest lever-actions I have ever cycled.
I'm curious what type of accuracy I can expect from this rifle. It came with an old Bushnell 4X32 on a Weaver pivot mount as well as the factory iron sights. I plan to use it for hunting Black Bear and Blacktail deer on Vancouver Island where shots are usually under 150 yrds.
Any opinions on this rifle or recommendations on ammo are welcomed.

Cheers,

Jason


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I had one when I lived on the island ,it was a great gun that I wish I never sold. It accounted for a fair amount of blacktails and the odd bear. and I even took it up north and shot a moose with it.
It was along time ago but it shot ok factory stuff back then 1.5 to 2.00 inch groups at 100y yards as I recall
 
I got one.
Just mounted up a 2.5 - 8 x 32. Looks slick with that mounted.
The trigger is a bugger. With the trigger mech swinging with the lever it's tough to get it tuned. I'm getting 1.5 inch but I'm not very practiced with it. I'm still working up a load for it.

It's essentially a bolt rifle operated by a lever. 3 locking lugs. It points nice. I can sling it on either side without having a bolt knob sticking into me. Recoil is kind of rough. Must be stock design. I had a decelerator mounted and that helps a bit.
 
I have the .308, with an old Bushnell Banner 4X, & have used it extensively. Where You hunt, would make a slight difference, as the "88" is just a little heavy for My area, & lugging in the Mountains all day. As far as the rifle goes, I love them, & wish I had one in .243 also. You are right about it being very smooth ! You're going to be pleased, if it shoots like mine. Congrat's.
 
Thanks for the replies.
If mine shoots 1.5" at 100yds that should be more than adequate accuracy for where I will be hunting. I did notice that the trigger was creepy and kinda heavy, but I think it is still better than the one on my Model 94. I can't wait to take it to the range and try it out!
 
I had a borrowed one in 1975 on the Island.

I had no access to a range and didn't know how to sight in a rifle with a scope at the time. I did take it out and shoot it at targets before hunting though.

Missed one deer at 30 yards and shot another at 80 yards. I gave it back though because I didn't like the damage it did to those deer. Then again, I was using 150 grain bullets in a 308.
 
I bought one brand new in 1964. I subsequently shot several deer, a few moose and 3 Black bear with it. It was a very fine rifle, that did what was expected of it. Very accurate for a levergun, and the one-piece stock is a bonus. I understand that economics spelled it's demise - such a pity! Regards, Eagleye.
 
We have a couple, accuracy is 1 to 2" with factory ammo. The only lever action we have that is nicer/smoother is a Sako Finnwolf, which looks very similar.
 
awesome rifle! my dad has used his 88 in .308 for the last 30 years and has shot multiple moose and cariboo with it. it's the only gun of his that he'll never let me borrow :D hope yours is as nice as his.
 
I shot my first deer with one of those, same caliber. They are excellent guns with a great reputation for accuracy. I was in the market for one until I found a Savage 99 with a detachable clip that met my needs.
 
Johnny G1 said:
Great gun but as some say a bit heavy, Throw away that Pivot mount and go solid or just use open sights, The pivot was the first to go on all my guns that I aquired and sold over the years. Just my thoughts.
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Those old Pivot mounts are very positive, I used to think the same as you till I left one on & tried it, very solid not affecting accuracy & actually returns to zero when you tip-off & back on, surprising good units!
 
There used to be two brothers in our hunting group who used them. One has passed away and I don't remember the caliber of his gun anymore. But the other brother still hunts with his 308 and I rarely see a deer get by him, even in heavy cover on the run. They are fantastic lever guns and very underapreciated. Second to the marlin 336 just because I like the exposed hammer of the marlin.
 
I have one too. Quite a handy rifle, points very well, and light compared to my old Model 70 I find the recoil a little sharp, as well. I have heard this is due to stock design. I am having some accuracy issues--as it warms up, it strings shots into the 2-3 oclock postion, to the tune of several inches. Anyone else have this issue?
 
88

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Shot a nice whitetail buck with mine in .308 this year, and found this moose skull on the same 1/4 section.
Real good bush gun, but I'm surprised by the sharp recoil too.
 
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