We were having a discussion and this topic came up. I have seen the Pre 64 M88 in 358 bringing some big dollars. Is this the rarest? Was the M88 carbine ever chambered for the 358? Any & all input would be appreciated!.....Thanks

.284 carbine brings a pretty penny also

Here's the production numbers for the model 88:

http://gun-data.com/winchester88.htm

Probably a 88 pre 64 in 284 Win, would be the rarest since it was introduced in 1963. The 88,s in 358 seem to bring more money on the open market.

Just looked at link above and indeed the pre 64 88 in 284 is the rarest but prices dont seem to reflect this having owned 2 of the pre 64 88 in 284 Win.

Agreed about the 284! I guess the 358 even with many more being produced still holds a warm spot in collectors pocket book!

Oh I'd love to have a .284, I just haven't ever seen one at a price I was willing to pay.

Too bad that combo just never caught on. The caliber didn't click with the lever action guys and the rifle didn't impress the bolt action folks. But as a pure hunting rifle it really shines.

the 358 and 284s are somewhat hard to come by in the Win. 88 and the Savage 99 in several models..Somewhat easier to come by in the Browning BLR along with the 22-250 in the BLR, The 284 is probably the rarest...

All that said both are available from time to time at excellerated prices as rule and as one would expect..I would call them hard to find as opposed to rare.

The information on the Model 88 Winchester is very limited. Murray's book does not have a lot of information, and is in questioned by the Mode 88 Collector. I have found that the vast majority are found in the .308 chambering. I would guess at perhaps 20 to 1 for the next caliber. Honestly, the .243 in the Model 88 is rare! You hardly ever see on for sale. At the last Ohio Gun Collector show I saw one, and that was the first one I have seen there in a long time. Although, I do see .284's, and .358's rarely as well. I have noticed over the years I see them about as much as I see a Model 88 in the .243. This being said I have always thought that the production numbers on Model 88's in .243 have been much lower then reported in the past. Carbines are very rare and seldom encountered. The Pre 64 Model in .284 is limited, but over the years I have seen them. They are easy to spot with the poor small checkering panels that were found on rifles made in that time period. I have found that I rarely see a Model 88 at the gun shows, or gun shops in the Ohio, Western Pa. area. anymore. As I stated, information on this unique rifle is very scarce.

My Dad bought a brand new Pre 64 M 88 in 284. It must have been the last year of production because he died in '66 and I remember the rifle being basically new. Like a dumb kid I traded it off for something and I don't even remember for what. Wish I had it now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark

I've always heard it was the 358 over the 284, though I thought the opposite. I was recently in a collector's gunroom who has both pre-64 284's and 358's. They're sweet to handle and admire, indeed.

Have a full set of pre-64 M88 Winchesters.
Bought the pre-64 284 off a bulletin board at a local gun club about 10 years ago for $750. Other than a fade line caused by a slip on recoil pad, it's just like it left the factory in 1963. A mint 308 came next, and a nice 243 came a bit later. Just didn't see myself plunking down a couple grand for a 358. Then fate again shined on me, when I spotted a 358 at a local pawn shop for $900. Clearly had seen some time in the field, but Bubba never worked on it, so I brought it home. One of these days I'm going to try to whack an elk with it.