I live in Alaska in Prince William Sound, an area with lots of deer, black bear, and a few big browns in the neighborhood. I bought a Win 88 in .308 in PA and brought it to Alaska when I moved here in 1969. Mine is a pre '64 Win 88 and the action is extremely smooth. It has served me well on many hunting trips around my house. The only thing about the 88 is that you have to be extremely careful not to dry fire the weapon without snap caps. I've had 2 broken firing pins from this. The original 88's were introduced in .243 Win, .284 Win, .308 Win, and .358 Win. There weren't many .358 Wins made but if I had a chance to buy one at fair market value and not collectors market, I certainly would. Having an old .308 rebarreled to .338 Federal makes a lot of sense to me. It would be a superb weapon for Alaska's big game, especially from horse back or 4 wheeler. The slick profile of the 88 in a scabbard permits easy withdrawal for quick shooting. Also, my wife is left handed and the safety on the 88 is easily turned over and placed on the left side of the action by a competent gunsmith. Mine is. As I am right handed, I use this left handed safety without a problem.
deltecs