My first M/88 was a basketweave checkered .243 that I bought from a fraternity brother while in college. I later traded it for an early model in .308 which I used to take the first and biggest deer of my hunting career. The only criticism of the rifle is that the stock has enough drop so as to accentuate felt recoil. Surprising that Winchester did not equip such a fine rifle with a stock with a straighter comb.
My first 88 was a 243 carbine. I only have 5 88s now, the 243 carbine plus 2 more carbines and 2 rifles in 284.
