Winchester 88 sights options?

gp_griz

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So Dad gave up his hold .308.

Sometime this hunting season...he busted off the front blade and bent the rear sight.

I'm looking at options for new sights set-ups.

I know I could set it up with a scope...and am considering that...but for now, I'm looking at replacement sight options.

I've heard that there is a peep sight available...anyone know which ones fit. I can't easily find them.

Also...has anyone tried any of those fibre optic sights?

Any info would help...

Thanks
Griz.
 
williams made a rear peep for the 88 works great you should be able to get it at western gun parts along with a replacement front sigh
 
I really don't like fibre optic sights, it seems as soon as you get out further than 50 yards the sights end up looking huge glowing basket balls!
 
If it were me I'd be replacing the correct sights. They're available on eBay or from Numrich or for that matter Gun Shows would be my first look.

My pre-64 M88 has the correct rear sight which is the fold down Lyman. This sight was used on other Winchester Rifles, M70 FW's, so they're not that hard to find. I sometimes put them on my standard weight Model 70's when I install a scope. Front sights are available as well. Least ways with the original sights your value is maintained; especially if it's a pre-64. The pre-64 Model 88 is a very under valued gun at the moment. As more folks learn they're actually a lever controlled bolt action, values may change. Some don't care for the trigger pull but it's tough please them all.
 
The 88 is one of the few lever guns, that looks and feels OK with a scope.
I use a low power, 1X4 on mine.
Some peep sights require a slight stock mod to fit. Mine has a small notch filed in the wood from a previous sight installation.
My wife uses a fiber optic on her Ruger 96. She loves the sight, but it does have some issues. It's fragile. she has busted or lost the fiber optic cord from hers twice now.
 
I agree with Rod. Get the original sights and use a scope. Value remains the same and a scope looks good and makes a nice cheek weld for that stock.
We have 3 Model 100's and an 88 in our hunting party. I wish Winchester would return to produce them again.
 
I drew a few stares when I put a Zeiss Conquest in 3-9X on my minty 1958 Model 88 in .308, thats until we hit the ranges. The nickel sized groups at 100m,even with the trigger pull that makes you think the safety is still on, quietened things down right quick.

Cheers,

Ricky
 
I achieved clover leafs at 100yds with my 88 and handloads. And that was with a cheapy Bushnell fixed 4x scope. I put a Williams FP sight on it but found out I had to raise the front sight as I was still shooting low at 50yds with the sight elevation maxxed out. Mine now wears an Elite 3200 (FF).
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thanks for opinions

I appreciate the comments about the fiber optic idea. Especially about it's size and fragility.

I'm leaning towards replacing the sites with correct sights; but can't quite give up completely on the idea of a rear peep.

I'll sure get a hood for the front sight in case Dad wants to borrow it back some time.

Scope may come some day...I do have a Rem 700 .30-06 scoped for the longer stuff.

By the way...it's post-64 with the "lovely" basket weave pressed markings.

I do really like the rotating lugged bolt.

See ya next year!
 
The factory M-88 sights are suitable only for use in an emergency. An aperture rear and a post front provide the hunter who understands how to use his sights with the best system to date. The rear aperture sight should be the ghost ring style, that is have a large aperture and a thin rim. You look through the aperture, but disregard it, acquire you sight picture, then concentrate on your front sight only. Try it and chances are you'll never want to go back to a V notch rear sight and bead front sight.

I am not a fan of the fiber optic sights either. A rectangular post is superior to a bead, and is very superior to a glowing bead.

The Lyman and Williams reciever sights are OK, but a sight like the XS that will attach to a Weaver base is stronger.
 
Be careful when selecting an aperture sight, to get a sight that is close to your eye.
Those that mount in the original sights dovetails, out on the barrel, are little better than the original sight.
The biggest advantage of an aperture sight, is that, when mounted close to the eye, the eye automatically centers the sight, making alignment with the target easier, and faster.
 
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