To shoot or not to shoot is the question ?

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11 March 2005, 04:39

.358

To shoot or not to shoot is the question ?

I acquired a 1956 Winchester 88 with clover leaf tang and it is unfired condition. I'm not a collector but a hunter. I bought it sight unseen from the neighbor lady. I thought I had a good hunting rifle but it really is a collector piece. So I don't know if I should use it or not ? What is it's value ? I'm tempted to sell it or trade for something I can use. What I do depends on what you say. Thanks

11 March 2005, 05:03

blackbearhunter

I have ran into that before.Dont shoot that one.You can buy them all day long that have been fired and mint condition,you justgot lucky,those rifles that old unfired are rare!Save it like it is.If you take a old gun in the woods you will never scratch it,if you take a brand new one you will scratch it all up everytime!They will not be makeing those no-more,that rifle will be worth a fortune some day to somebody for sure!All old unfired pre64 rifles are high price.Check around and find out how many you can track down ,if they are for sale at all...........scarce as hens teeth.....

11 March 2005, 05:07

blackbearhunter

Oh yea forgot to ask,what would you trade for?I trade.check around first and do some price checks before you decide anything..

11 March 2005, 05:24

.358

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S WORTH. bUT i NEED A DECENT .243 LIKE A rUGAR OR rEMINGTON AND MY wIFE NEEDS A rEMINGTON 100 LWT 20 GAGE vR 26" BBL SCREW IN CHOKES.

11 March 2005, 07:17

idabull

.358: I don't see where you tell a caliber for your '88. Will make notable diff.in value,so please post it.. Idabull

11 March 2005, 10:28

idabull

358: OK,I see from another forum that it's a 308. So---.24th Ed.Blue Book puts it at $850 for 100% ..might have to to go on the internet auctions to get that,,you can find good "shooter"grade 88's in that caliber for $400,and you don't need a pre-64 for that,so maybeso can get a later one for a little less.Some feel the post 64's are actually better shooters ,(post 64 243 shooter grade shouldn't cost much more) ..fwiw,Idabull

11 March 2005, 19:38

.358

I would sell it for 800. or make a trade for one of the guns I mentioned and a little boot.
There is a gunshow in Cape Girardeau tomorrow, I may take it along and see what happens. I'm a terrible gun trader, if I usually lose a few hundred on a deal. But, I wouldn't be anything but honest with people. Old fashioned values I guess, just raised that way in the Ozark Hills