Looking at Winchester Model 88 lever action in .308.

Any opinions or experience out there concerning this rifle? Accuracy, reliability, handeling, etc..? Thanks.

I have got one with basket weave stock and Leupold 2-7x33, which I really like. It works and loads smoothly, metal work is pretty good. balance is fine for off-hand shooting. The trigger, however, is a bit spongy and creeepy, and I recommend some training with at the range before hunting. Accuracy is good: 6 inches at 300 yards or 1 at 100 with Sierra 180 grs and a slow load with 46 grs of IMR4350. It not an ideal powder, but I tried it and found it accurate enough.

Fritz

Some useful links: http://www.gunsandammomag.com/classics/ct0504/
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aastboltsofCf.htm

Pretty hard to get a better .308. that's as handy. I'd use one if I had one; my brother used one for many years. Very strong with its rotary bolt; very much like a bolt action in strength.

Regards:

J. Shields

i would looooooove a 35-284 win on an 88

The Model 88 is simply one of, if not THE finest lever guns ever made IMO. Its action strength is comprable to the BLR, both with turnbolt action, and it is the only lever gun I can think of with a one piece stock.

They are getting harder to find all of the time, I would love to have one in 358 win AND in 284. Great rifles, ahead of their time.

leopardprey:

This retired hunter (76) owned a used Win.88 in 308 Win. about 15 years ago. It was the smoothest working lever action I have ever used - and I came from a family where the Savage 99 was considered the supreme lever action. The 88 gave the same sense of security when I snuggled down behind that breech. (I wasn't going to get a bolt coming back in my face) It's accuracy with 180 gr. loads was tight enough for me to take to Canada for black bear hunts on stand. (To be honest, I don't remember exact group measurements but I can assure you they were something like 1 1/2" at 50 yards and no more than 2" at 100. I was an already older Eastern hunter shooting at close ranges and using low power scopes. Of course, younger types could do better) The trigger pull may need some tweaking and tuning by a gunsmith (in my case) but you could have one very fine woods gun there. Just my thoughts.

I finally got an 88 after looking at them for a long time. Mine is a pre 64 .308.

I don't like it nearly as much as the 99 or the M70 for that matter. Its heavier than a M70 with the same Featherweight barrel and has a sloppy trigger. The worst part is that they cock way out at the end of the out stroke on the lever when you don't have that much power.

Mine shoots about 2" at 100 yds. I tried lots of loads, shims and scopes and thats it.

I tried to get a buddy to borrow it as he is left handed but he is not interested.

Suppose I will sell it someday as it's a disapointment.

Long gone, but I had a post 64 .308 for a while. Nice balance and handling for woods hunting. Never really got used to the creepy trigger, not very accurate as .308s go, and a real pain to keep clean in this climate. Traded it for a Rem. 600 (same caliber) + cash. I'm not a "collector", so I think I got ther better end of that deal.

There is also this opinion from a well known lever action guru.

http://www.levergun.com/Marlin/index.html

Sako also had a virtually identical (mechanically) gun called the Finnwolf. Very nice guns (both of them).

quote:

Originally posted by Fireball7709:
Sako also had a virtually identical (mechanically) gun called the Finnwolf. Very nice guns (both of them).

There is nothing "mechanically identical" about the Finnwolf and the Model 88. They are both lever action rifles with one-piece stocks. That's where any similarity begins and ends. Your statement makes about as much sense as claiming that the Marlin 336 and Winchester 94 are "mechanically indentical."

This is mine in .308. It's topped with a older model Weaver steel tube KV-60 scope. I was going to replace the scope and mounts when I bought it, but after shooting it I saw no need. It shoots the cheap Winchester white box FMJ the best. Bill T.

You may want to read an article by Mic Mc Pherson where he makes a passing reference to an inexplicable discharge of the Win model 88 when the safety engaged. Oddly enough its in an article titled 'What is possible in a Marlin'. His site is www.levergun.com
Joe

Years ago I used money I earned working the summer in Yellowstone National Park to buy a pre-64 in .284 Winchester. I was supposed to spend the money on school clothes, but to a 17-year-old kid with the price of a new rifle in his pocket, logic dictated I get the rifle instead. My folks, however, disagreed. I used it to take my first whitetail deer in North Dakota. Unfortunately, I used it a few years later as a trade to get a Ruger Model 77 in .284 Winchester. That was one accurate, flat shooting SOB. At the time, Winchester had two loadings for it, one in 125 grain and the other in 150 grain. The pre-64s did not have the basketweave checkering. I'm going to quit posting about it because my trading it off really pisses me off now. Tom Purdom

FYI, at one time Timney made a replacement trigger for the Model 88. I believe it was discontinued around 1991 or so. And for those who care, the Model 88 is also C&R eligible.

The "School of Experience" is the only one where I can say I've been held over for quite a number of years in the same class, without feeling too ashamed....

At any rate, it is an expensive school, more costly in many ways than Stanford and Harvard combined. One of the things I learned in about my 50th year of study there was...If You Have a Winchester '88 Carbine in Hand, DON'T SELL IT!

I had a really nice one up until the middle 70's, then let it go for money to buy something else. Well, actually, for money to get rid of something else...a wife.

But the point is, they are reliable, they can be VERY accurate with the proper loadings, and they ain't makin' no more of 'em.

If you have an opportunity to get either an '88 rifle or carbine in nice shape at a fair price and have the money, you oughta do it, is my opinion.

Sure wish I'd-a been a faster learner.......

I am happy to buy any of them that shoot into 2.0 inches or so at 100 yards! Most of the deer I shoot will not know that the gun is not that accurate!!

I gave my grandson a pre 64 mod 88 in .308. He shot twice at a can--missed first shot and dead on second shot. Next shot was an 8 point whitetail,then a 10 pointer which was down but he shot in neck to finish,then an 8 pointer and then an axis deer. 7 shots-4 animals--guess they work. I loaded 150 grainers for it.

Never shot an 88. Gave my Finnwolf to a friend for graduation. That was one heck of a rifle.

quote:

And for those who care, the Model 88 is also C&R eligible.

How is that possible??? Bill T.

quote:

Originally posted by billt:

quote:

And for those who care, the Model 88 is also C&R eligible.

How is that possible??? Bill T.

Who cares???

"Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event. Proof of qualification of a particular firearm under this category may be established by evidence of present value and evidence that like firearms are not available except as collector's items, or that the value of like firearms available in ordinary commercial channels is substantially less."

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/curios/intro.htm

"Winchester, Model 88 rifles, all calibers."

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/curios/sec2.htm

The point of all of this is that they are classified as C&R. I couldn't give a damn less of how or why, nor do I understand why anyone would.

I picked up a Model 88 Pre-64 .308 carbine at the the gun show about 5 years ago and just got around to shooting it. I'm not getting anything spectacular with Federal Power Shok ammo but was using the iron sights. I found a Bhuler scope mount for it and am looking for rings. Anyone have any idea what rings I need or do I have to find Bhuler's?

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
I picked up a Model 88 Pre-64 .308 carbine at the the gun show about 5 years ago and just got around to shooting it.

There's no such thing as a "pre-64 carbine." The carbine version didn't appear until post-64.

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
I found a Bhuler scope mount for it and am looking for rings. Anyone have any idea what rings I need or do I have to find Bhuler's?

Buehler bases require Buehler rings.

The Redfield JR-88 and Weaver #53 bases are still available and will fit both the Models 88 and 100.

I had no idea there were so many "modern" firearms on the C&R list. Bill T.

quote:

Originally posted by Just Some Guy:

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
I picked up a Model 88 Pre-64 .308 carbine at the the gun show about 5 years ago and just got around to shooting it.

There's no such thing as a "pre-64 carbine." The carbine version didn't appear until post-64.

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
I found a Bhuler scope mount for it and am looking for rings. Anyone have any idea what rings I need or do I have to find Bhuler's?

Buehler bases require Buehler rings.

The Redfield JR-88 and Weaver #53 bases are still available and will fit both the Models 88 and 100.

I guess I better go measure the barrel. It looks short, to me, and may have been cut down. The crown job would have been real professional.

Thanks for the tip on the mounts. I'll have to look for some rings as I already have the base.

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
I guess I better go measure the barrel. It looks short, to me, and may have been cut down. The crown job would have been real professional.

You can measure the barrel all you want, but it's not the only determining factor. The carbine has a plain, uncheckered hardwood stock with a barrel band. They were ALL made after 1963.

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/classics/ct0504/index.html

FYI, ALL Model 88s with a serial number BELOW 148859 were made PRIOR to 1964. ALL Model 88s serial numbered 148859 and ABOVE were made in 1964 and afterwards.

We have two 88's in the family, my .308 win restocked in cherry and a .243 win that is stocked in myrtle. The factory stocks have too much drop for scope use, but that's about all I can fault the 88 on. My .308 has killed a lot of deer, two this year, and will be the last to go when nursing home time comes. It shot better groups 35 years ago when I got it, (or maybe I did) but it will still stay under 2" for five shots. The wife's .243 will hold a little better, and really shines with the 87gr Sierra and IMR 4064.I sure wouldn't pass one up if it's in good shape.

quote:

Originally posted by LJRivard:
The factory stocks have too much drop for scope use, but that's about all I can fault the 88 on.

I disagree.

Well, according to the article you could get variations. I know my uncle and his friends ordered and bought specially set up Model 12's from Winchester. Thank you for that great article, BTW. My gun has a 17.5 inch barrel with iron sights. The leaf is as shown in the article. The front sight looks to be factory, as well. The stock is a feather crotch AAA monte carlo with cheek piece, no checkering, smooth oil finish, metal grip cap and black white-line recoil pad. The serial number is 47XX. It may not be a carbine but it sure looks and handles like one.

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
Well, according to the article you could get variations. I know my uncle and his friends ordered and bought specially set up Model 12's from Winchester. Thank you for that great article, BTW. My gun has a 17.5 inch barrel with iron sights. The leaf is as shown in the article. The front sight looks to be factory, as well. The stock is a feather crotch AAA monte carlo with cheek piece, no checkering, smooth oil finish, metal grip cap and black white-line recoil pad. The serial number is 47XX. It may not be a carbine but it sure looks and handles like one.

There were no "variations" outside of the standard cataloged fare. You might ought to READ the article, vice the parts you find interesting. The 88 was never that popular. I don't care about your pappy's Model 12; the last I knew that was a completely different animal and certainly not the topic of this discussion. I couldn't care less if your rifle "looks and handles like" a carbine, the fact of the matter is your rifle is not a FACTORY Model 88 carbine. Savvy? I don't suppose it ever crossed your mind that in the realm of possibilities someone just MIGHT happened to have modified a rifle in the intervening forty-some-odd years before you took possession, did it? Or maybe you don't think it's possible for a gunsmith to cut a barrel, sweat on a new sight base, and add a new stock. No, those things never happen.

Kiss my ass. I was just telling you about my rifle, fucker.

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
Kiss my ass. I was just telling you about my rifle, fucker.

What a shame we can't all be as sweet as you.

You never got to know me and I stand by my remarks. Some people are just pricks.

quote:

Originally posted by Parker12SSS aka BigJohn:
You never got to know me and I stand by my remarks. Some people are just pricks.

Are you wanting a hug?

quote:

Originally posted by leopardprey:
Looking at Winchester Model 88 lever action in .308.

Any opinions or experience out there concerning this rifle? Accuracy, reliability, handeling, etc..? Thanks.

Leopardprey,

In our family we have 2 M88s in 243 and 3 M100s in 308. The reason I mention the M100s is they have the same shape stock as the M88. And we have a bunch of M94s which I hope will all make sense shortly.

To me the M88 and the M100 was the next technologic step up from the 94. They are short, handle well in the brush and for the most part are reliable. All of us used them as kids (with out scopes) and then put 3-9 and 4-12 power scopes on them as we grew older. We became disatisfied with them as they wouldn't shoot as well as modern bolt guns were shooting. So we "retired" them.

Some years ago, I dug my 308 out of the safe and got to lookin' at it as I was looking for a gun for deer drives and shooting from stands in the woods. Throw a M88 or M100 quickly up to your shoulder as you would your shotgun and you will quickly see the stock is made for iron sights. But my eyes can't do that any more. So I put a 1-4 power scope on it mounted as low as possible.

At 1 power I can keep both eyes open and shoot a running deer or tree with ease. If I am stand hunting I can turn the power up to 4 and see if it has horns and how many.

All of us have changed our M88/M100s to 1-3 and 1-4 power scopes and would not give them up for any other rifle. They work very well for what they were intended for IMO.

Anyhow, that is my story and I hope you see my point. Regardless of how you use it, it is an excellent investment. There is a pre 64 M100 sitting in the safe at the moment that has my 4 year old grandson's (Hunter) name on it. I am quite sure by the time he is able to hunt with me he will have his choice of using his M94, M88 or M100.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by pdhntr1:
To me the M88 and the M100 was the next technologic step up from the 94.

Except the Model 88 was the intended replacement for the Model 71.

quote:

Originally posted by pdhntr1:
Throw a M88 or M100 quickly up to your shoulder as you would your shotgun and you will quickly see the stock is made for iron sights.

Not particularly. The stock has the same drop as contemporary Model 70s, but less drop than the Model 71 it replaced or the Model 99 Savage.

The stock is low for a scope, but mine works OK, even with a 40 mm objective. I hunt with it, it is beat up, but it never fails to put a 150 grain .308 cal bullet thru the vitals of what I point it at. I have a post 64, but would someday like to buy an older one, again in .308.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy P Coaltrain:
The stock is low for a scope, but mine works OK, even with a 40 mm objective.

So which is it? Is it low or does it "work OK?"

I guess stock fit, like appearance, is an individual thing. The drop on the M88 stock bothered me with a scope enough to go to the trouble of whittleing a replacement. After the first one I swore I would never try another one, they are a bitch to get the stock bolt angle just right, but wives have persuasive ways so I restocked her .243 too. Sure wish we would have been happy with them the way they came from Win, would have saved a ton of work. But worth it, they are great rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Just Some Guy:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy P Coaltrain:
The stock is low for a scope, but mine works OK, even with a 40 mm objective.

So which is it? Is it low or does it "work OK?"

What he is saying is that if the stock was a little higher it would be more comfortable to use a scope. I really think anyone who graduated from the third grade could figure that out, but apparently JSG needs a little "extra" help. What a pathetic prick.

quote:

Originally posted by pdhntr1:

Some years ago, I dug my 308 out of the safe Throw a M88 or M100 quickly up to your shoulder as you would your shotgun and you will quickly see the stock is made for iron sights.
Jim

I have a pair of pre-64 88s, one in 308 and the other 284. As Jim pointed out, they come up to your shoulder and point like a well fit shotgun. For close in work, you can't ask for anything more of a good brush rifle.

Yes, the trigger are a bit mushy, but a shooter with a good squeeze can still make them shoot quite well.