Winchester Model 88

My Father has used his 88 since the 70's. It's chambered in 308 and he's used it on cariboo and moose without a problem. The rifle is definatly pretty accurate. It's the only rifle in his collection he won't let me borrow. :)

Dorian
 
I think you should buy it. Even if you don't like it, you're not going to lose money on it. As you can see from the mixed replies here, some people like them others don't. I think you'd find that with any gun though. I personally love mine and have one in .243 as well. Both shoot accurately all day long with very managable recoil and no finger-pinching.

H4831 said:
It looks like you haven't been to any gun shows in the west lately.
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No i'm from Ontario. The dealers here want $600 + tax for them. But I love that gun so $450 88s might tempt me to move west! :)
 
My very first (new) rifle was a 308 cal. 88. Everyone in my neck of the woods back then was in love with levers. This affected my decision, I suppose. I also liked the idea of a removable magazine vs tube feeders. It was a good rifle but when I went away to school, I needed the $ more than the gun. Anyone who can't bring down a moose with a 308, can't bring down a moose.
 
Sigh. A 308 with a well placed shot will bring down any game in the world (yes, including elephants, it's been used to cull the herds, FN's usually). The Win 88 in 308 is a fairly well balanced rifle, and recoil is moderate. Hard to get parts for now days, but it is a well built rifle and should last you for decades. - dan
 
Winchester 88's are nice rifles and the .308 is fine for deer or moose. Not the ballistic twin of a .30/06 but so what.A lot of guys post questions like this and there are always guys trying to tell them get a .300 mag or .338. If you like the magnums and CAN SHOOT THEM WELL, fine but they are not absolutely necessary.
 
Varget & 165gr bullet

arcadia said:
My buddy has one. It is an amazing shooter. Clover leafs. at 100m consistently.
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Thats what mine (.308) will do with 42grs Varget and a 165gr Remington PSPCL.
I recently upgraded the scope to a Leupold VXI 3-9x40 and picked up a spare after market mag. Someone mentioned bedding? What about the forestock screw? Would a consistent torque on this screw help?
Mine was a hand me down from me Pa. Post 64.
Buy it, if u don't like it..sell it for what you paid 4.
 
someone correct me if i'm wrong, but the stocks on the pre 64's we're prone to cracking right beside the action. I've only seen 2 one being my fathers and they we're both cracked
 
slyty said:
someone correct me if i'm wrong, but the stocks on the pre 64's we're prone to cracking right beside the action. I've only seen 2 one being my fathers and they we're both cracked
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Put an aftermarket laminate stock on it and it will never crack. A good recoil pad eliminates that sharp recoil of the 308 also - this one's a creampuff to shoot now, even with 165 grain bullets. Found some 150 grain XP3's to try out.
Pinched my fingers only once with it, too used to a bolt action.
Don't hesitate to buy an 88, they are fast and fun and do hold their value if looked after.


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr216/wclark375/IMG_2845a.jpg
 
slyty said:
someone correct me if i'm wrong, but the stocks on the pre 64's we're prone to cracking right beside the action. I've only seen 2 one being my fathers and they we're both cracked
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Both the pre-64s and post-64s are prone to cracking. This is because it is clip fed and there is an open space in the stock for the clip and action which causes weakness. It's only going to crack if you bang it off a rock or something...but that couldn't be good for any gun.
 
Gerald said:
The trigger mechanism of a model 88 Winchester drops with the lever when the action is cycled. So how can a person pinch a finger?
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When you close the action,the lever sits flush with pistol grip portion of the stock. Squish!! It's more a case of pinching the top part of the palm where your fingers start.
I have one in 243 and could never understand the hype. Ugly stock, mediocre accuracy at best. Guess it's got Winchester stamped on the bbl. and is discontinued.

However, judging by prices I'll hang on to it for a while yet and let it appreciate. :D
 
shotcup said:
Put an aftermarket laminate stock on it and it will never crack. A good recoil pad eliminates that sharp recoil of the 308 also - this one's a creampuff to shoot now, even with 165 grain bullets. Found some 150 grain XP3's to try out.
Pinched my fingers only once with it, too used to a bolt action.
Don't hesitate to buy an 88, they are fast and fun and do hold their value if looked after.


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr216/wclark375/IMG_2845a.jpg
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holy #@&! that looks wicked. is that a boyd's stock?:evil:
 
That stock would be unacceptable on my 88. If I had something that pretty, I wouldn't be able to use the gun like a work horse without worrying about scratches and dings. I like nice guns, but I don't mind owning one ugly gun :D

BTW, although the finish on the stock is all scratched and scarred, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is a group fired at 200 yards.
l_2faac7acab0243ddab8401af9d66e346.jpg
 
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