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Author Topic: winchester model 88  (Read 2385 times)

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Offline mrbigtexan

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winchester model 88
« on: November 29, 2009, 05:53:15 PM »
does anyone have one and how do they like it? thanks
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Offline jager

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2009, 04:41:41 AM »
I had one 20 years ago that was a "pre-64" in a .308Win. It was a well made piece that had a very smooth and reliable action. (It had a great bolt "lock-up" much like most "turn bolt" guns.) On the negative side, it had a really "draggy" trigger and "kicked like a mule" because of the design of the stock and butt plate. I'd get another if I could buy it "cheap", which they aren't, and have it "worked" over by a good "smith"!
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Offline tigercat

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2009, 11:04:06 AM »
i have one that was my dads checking the serial number says it was made in 1955 its 308 i love the gun mine don't kick at all i use 180 remington core lokts if i had the money i would buy all i could find the world record whitetail shot by milo hansen was shot with a model 88
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Offline jbmi

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2009, 01:08:23 PM »
I had two, one pre and one post, both 308. These lever Winchesters were just the opposite of other Winchesters as the post 64's were the better model.
I kept the post and put her in a custom stock and had her rebored to a 338 Federal (back then we called it a 338-08)
Shoots great even with the crappy trigger  ;D
The pre 64 308 with the factory stock did kick the crap out of me, mine is much better.
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Offline mannyrock

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2009, 01:27:44 PM »

  They have terrible triggers.  Better try one before you buy one.

Mannyrock
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Offline Jim M

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2009, 02:32:58 PM »
I have a post 64 that I bought new in 1969 for $145.00. I don't hunt with it anymore but I still shoot it and treasure it. It does kick with the factory stock for a .308. The trigger is terrible but I put a trigger shoe on it and it helps the trigger pull feel lighter. I have a monte carlo Bishop stock that I am currently fitting onto it and if it works well, I may hunt with it again. I always wished for a 284 but current prices for them blew that wish away.    Jim
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Offline NYH1

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2009, 08:08:29 AM »
My dad gave me his pre '64 (made in 62) model 88 308 Win.   It shoots an inch group at 100 yards with a few different types of ammo.   It likes Remington 150 gr. Core Lokt ammo the best.   Shoots 165 gr. Fusion ammo pretty well too.   I don't mind the trigger.   Maybe I got a good trigger, I don't know.

As far as recoil go's, I think the model 88 in 308 Win. is one of the most pleasant centerfire "deer/black bear/wild bore" size rifles I've shot.   Recoil is a tad more then my Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. and not quite as much as my Remington model 700 280 Rem.   I have the factory plastic butt plate on mine too.   Of course I grew up in "slug gun country".   A 12 ga. slug gun recoils more then any rifle I've ever shot.   They make 30-06's seem like cap guns.   YMMV, I love mine though!  ;)

       
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Offline NYH1

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2009, 08:10:09 AM »
I forgot to mention.   I have a Redfield Tracker 3-9x40mm scope on it.   I've shot two deer with it as well!
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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2009, 09:21:57 AM »
      Simply the strongest, most accurate lever gun ever made and that comes from a devoted Model 99 lover.  Mine was made in '56...had it since '62.  Have no idea how many deer it's harvested...a bunch.  There are a lot of fair to midlin' gunsmith's who can't reassemble one.  Walt
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Offline mannyrock

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2009, 12:32:12 PM »


   Second negative: the stock is fairly thin on each side, where the action and magazine sit.  Yes, they are prone to cracking and breaking there.  If it happens, you may have problems replacing the stock.
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Offline NYH1

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2009, 06:33:46 AM »
Quote from: mannyrock on December 07, 2009, 12:32:12 PM


   Second negative: the stock is fairly thin on each side, where the action and magazine sit.  Yes, they are prone to cracking and breaking there.  If it happens, you may have problems replacing the stock.
I've never heard of anyone breaking their stock on model 88's.   That doesn't mean it doesn't happen.   There are a few aftermarket stocks available for the model 88.   Don't how long they'll be available though.   
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Offline owenv

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2009, 05:16:06 AM »
I have a m88 in .358 made in 1959.  Best rifle ever.  It was handed down to me from my Father and tell you how many elk and deer i witnessed him take with it.



This years elk hunt in Colorado



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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2009, 07:09:38 AM »
owenv,  Oh how I've hunted for either a M88 or M99 in .358 forever.  Always afraid I'd find one when I was broke.  Ran across a like new M88 in .284 a few years back at a gun show and tried my best to swap him a like new Weatherby Mark 5 Deluxe in 300WM for it and he wouldn't budge. Ohhhh!!!!   Walt
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Offline Huntsman1

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2009, 05:43:39 AM »
Alot of hand me downs  :o, me too  ;). My Dad who being a southpaw, needed a good hunting rifle and seeing as back in the mid sixties not too many left hand bolts were around he decided to go with the 88 in .308. He used it mainly for moose. Now I have it  ;D ;D it gets its fare share of a work out.
I installed an Elite 3200 3-9x40 and she shoots neat little clover leafs at 100yds all day with Sierra 165gr Gamekings and 42grs Varget. I picked up an extra mag not too long ago as well. Some day I might even match it up with a model 100.................................
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2009, 06:11:20 AM »
I owned one back when I was a teenager, aquired in a gun trade.  Don't know the year of manufacture, but it was a .308, and did have a pretty bad trigger pull, from what I remember.  Traded it for a S&W #29 a couple years later.  Wish I had kept it.  I don't see why a good gunsmith, who knows what he is doing, couldn't do a trigger job on that rifle.  Even a bad design can be polished and fitted to some extent.  If I came across another at a good price, I would buy it, but I am happy with my Marlins and BLR's.

Larry
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Offline mannyrock

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2009, 07:02:27 AM »

  Larry,

     It is my understanding that the triggers can be improved a little bit by an expert, but not much.  Apparently, the problem is how they are mechanically connected to the firing mechanism.

     They are sure great looking rifles though.

Mannyrock
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #16 on: December 23, 2009, 07:15:02 AM »
Mannyrock

They were ahead of their time.  Another rifle would be the old Sako Finnwolf (I believe that was the name)  It was also a 1 peice stocked lever action, rotating bolt, magazine fed - very similar to the Win. #88.

Larry
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Offline BUCKDUSTER

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Re: winchester model 88
« Reply #17 on: December 27, 2009, 04:37:49 AM »
i had a 308. shot very accuratly and was fun to shoot. trigger was the worst i ever felt on any gun with the exception of 1 12 gauge bolt action slug gun.  its an awesome gun aside from the trigger. i'm a big fan of the magazine too.  it makes loading and unloading easy

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