Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Will hunters be interested in a pre-64 .243 Model 88?

Thinking of thinning the herd.
Will hunters be interested in a 1950'd .243 Model 88 or is this just a collector/specialty gun?

Not looking for offers at this time

I'm not sure many hunters would go after it (price, collectibility, etc), but it all depends on the guy and whether they want to hunt with a classic or keep it in the safe. As you know, it would draw lots of interest regardless of the intended use.

Keep us posted...I'd certainly be interested

Looks like a very nice rifle in a great caliber. Seeing That gun makes me think of hunting whitetail deer. I,d be interested too.

Nice rifle.

The 88 was a favorite of Al Miller. His was a .284, I believe.

I first saw one in a store in Cumberland, MD about 1966. It was a post-64 .243 complete with impressed oak leaves and, I believe, acorns. I thought it was the the coolest rifle I'd ever seen.

I think there would be a fair amount of interest....

There would be interest because it's an action and rifle few have handled along with being left hand friendly and a pre-64!

When I saw one in a shop a few years ago I bought it just to work the action and see how it shot.

While I started, by chance, with the 99 Savage half a century ago I found the 88 workable and I could have enjoyed it as well.

Mine is a 308 and quite a good shooter. The only negative is that it came with a compass in the stock. I didn't pay all that much for it.

My question is not whether someone will want it.
My question is whether hunters will want it for hunting.

Guaranteed somebody will want it!

How can someone seriously answer that question?

I'd say someone is more likely to want the rifle for hunting, than target shooting, etc.

That's a beautiful rifle and to answer your question, an emphatic yes. Lots of guys would love to hunt with that rifle. In fact it would be unthinkable to let it languish in the safe. Rifles were made to be used, collector piece or not. I've never bought into the philosophy of hoarding collectable guns and never taking them afield. I guess the collectors probably think I'm nuts to take a collectable gun hunting.

Mart

If I had it, someone would hunt with it.

My sister uses a 88 in 243. Seems to do just fine with it.

I have taken pronghorn and mule deer with a 243 rifle. Would I use the Win 88 for hunting ? Yes but I would try not to damage it..

I would hunt it

Brother, who is recoil sensitive, used one for years. He gave it to his number one grandson a few years ago, and it gets used quite often.

After cleaning it, I found the rifle way over engineered. I would pass, but they do have a following, and they are generally plenty accurate for deer, turkey, hogs, coyotes, and such. Brother head shot a good many gobblers with his.

Jt: just curious. How was it over engineered? Honest question, not trying to start an argument. Thx.

They don't have anything going for them in ergo's,twist,throat or Precision......................

Other than that, they work just fine for their intended purpose.

Undoubtedly.

If you want something to coddle and make some noise,they'll certainly connect both them dots..................