Winchester Model 88
- Thread starter JimG
- Start date
A search of the serial number told me 1955. It has some hunting wear(light scratches, none deep) and light blueing loss at the muzzle. Bore is tight, lands and grooves still crisp, scope is a bushnell 2.5x8 magnification I believe x 40 The scope mounting rings have some wear, I hunt with it so it's not a show piece. Just the one magazine, and it's the rifle not the carbine. I'm just curious as a guy I work with said it could be worth something. I don't have any pictures of it at the moment.
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if you could muster up some pics, I'm sure many more members will chime in with evaluations. I guess it all depends on the marks and scratches and rubs. Too bad it wasn't the carbine. I used to collect many Winchesters, had lots of 88's, but only one carbine. I finally found a Sako Finnwolf, then the 88's went down the road. Will keep an eye on this thread and see what other's will say.
What's it worth? It has several values... depends on if you are the buyer or seller and what you want to do with it... how much can you sell it for quickly? How much can you sell it over time... what it is worth to a buyer who wants to flip it...
Being used it isn't really a collectors gun... more of a desirable shooter... but parts are no longer available... it has been obsolete for a long time and that affects value as a shooter...
If you want to sell it, list it on the exchange forum with quality pictures... ask $900 for the package and then wait for offers... they will be lower.
A pre 64 .308 Winchester 88 in very good + or better condition is worth at least $700, your Bushnell scope really adds little or no value to the gun.
The post 64 ones are just as good as they really are the same rifle except for style of the walnut stock checkering. If you had a similar condition post 64 one it would be valued at about $600 or maybe slightly more.
They only stopped making them as they were way too expensive to make and sell for a decent profit at what most hunters of the time would pay. When new they sold for about $1100 in todays dollars back in the late sixties ($140 USD in 1967).
These very strong (3 front locking lugs) and high powered Winchester lever action rifles are usually very accurate unless they have some sort of stock bedding issue and are generally trouble free with very few parts breakages. I have both a pre and post 64 one and they have never given me any problems. Original mags are now getting pricey but there is a company in the US now making new ones.
My .308 ones are just as accurate as 90% of bolt action .308 hunting rifles, they are more than adequate for most hunting use and offer very fast follow up shots if needed. The only valid complaint is that they can have a bit long and heavy trigger let off, but if you are used to it the trigger is no real problem for most hunting use.
The post 64 ones are just as good as they really are the same rifle except for style of the walnut stock checkering. If you had a similar condition post 64 one it would be valued at about $600 or maybe slightly more.
They only stopped making them as they were way too expensive to make and sell for a decent profit at what most hunters of the time would pay. When new they sold for about $1100 in todays dollars back in the late sixties ($140 USD in 1967).
These very strong (3 front locking lugs) and high powered Winchester lever action rifles are usually very accurate unless they have some sort of stock bedding issue and are generally trouble free with very few parts breakages. I have both a pre and post 64 one and they have never given me any problems. Original mags are now getting pricey but there is a company in the US now making new ones.
My .308 ones are just as accurate as 90% of bolt action .308 hunting rifles, they are more than adequate for most hunting use and offer very fast follow up shots if needed. The only valid complaint is that they can have a bit long and heavy trigger let off, but if you are used to it the trigger is no real problem for most hunting use.
