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I am thinking about getting an 88 in .308 and having JES rebore it to .338 Federal. Has anyone had this done? I had him rebore an 8mm Brno to 9.3x62 and it worked great.

I have 99's in 358 and an 88 in 308. I could have got all that game with just the 308 I think but the 358 is more fun to talk about when it's done.

I would leave the 88 in 308. It's a much easier cartridge to find and even sell.

Shop for some other rifle in 338 Fed or 358 after the season.

A friend had JES rebore a 308 Win to 358 Win in a Remington (Sorry, can't remember the model). He liked the results, too.

I have a M88 I had rebarreled to .358 Win. I just couldn't rebore the original barrel, but still have it.

I had a JES rebore (308-358), plenty accurate even with a sporter weight short barrel, but it needed a good brass soak and scrubbing after every 10-12 shots. I don't know if they are doing 33 caliber rebores.

He has it listed on his site for the .338 Federal. I will call him to see

Here is an 88 in 358.



http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=442893832

I would prefer to spend $450 or so and then $225 to have a .338 Federal than $2400

That's a 'collectors' price for a scarce item. There is an old 88 for sale in a local shop, it's a 308, and the price is high.

Someone posted above that they put a 338 bbl on a 308 and put the original Win. bbl aside. That makes more sense than boring but less sense than hunting with a 308.

Here is a pre-64 M88 308 I got a few years ago for about $495 with that scope.

It shoots ok. If I had not started with the 99 I could have liked that design. The only take back is that someone put a compass in the stock.

I have used many 99s and 88s and even a Sako Finnwolf and like them all. I have used many a .308 and .300 (not a damn bit of difference in either) but I do like to try different calibers and have not owned a .338 Federal and Winchester 88s in .308 are a dime a dozen, so to speak. Don't plan on using a NIB or collector and actually would prefer a post 64 since I have found them to be mechanically better

I think JES does a great job and very fast turn around. I can't think of any reason why a 338 fed wouldn't work on a mod 88. He did a bolt gun for me in 338/06 that works and shoots fine. If you do it, please give us an update.

About 15 years ago I had a post 64, 308, 88 rebored to a 338-08 by the combined team of Nickles and LaBonty.
Back then there was not a 338 Federal, but my handload I sent them was so darn close to a 338 Fed, that it feeds just fine (although my handloads are more accurate)
The bottom 99R is a 358 so I have the best of both worlds.

I LOVE my 88. Accurate as HE11.

I'd rebarrel before I'd rebore..........

That looks like an exceptional pair. Very very nice.

Actually, I said .358. While the deer I had killed with the .358 could have been killed with the .308 I have wanted a .358 for a long time. When I had the barrel put on there were no current .358s being made. Of course shortly after that Browning came out with the BLR in .358 and then Ruger.

The .338 would be interesting too. Maybe if I can ever get another Win. M88.

I you were to shoot heavy bullets in the 308,you would pretty much have the same effect as the 338/08 the difference being negligible....

The 358 Win.is a very under rated cartridge.d.

Winchester used a modified magazine for the 358 as it did not feed to their satisfaction through the 308 magazine. There is more info on that on the Wisner webpage. I have not tried it but it would be something to consider if you go ahead with a rebore. 338 Fed might not cause problems. I believe the Wisner page tells how to modify the magazine if needed.