I know where there is a Pre-64 88 in the .308 caliber. It is in new condition with a extra clip. I know what they book for but it is in an estate. What would be a fair price? Thanks.

I've looked at a lot of 88's lately. Here's what I think...if it's like new and hasn't been modified (like adding a pad) then a retailer would probably be trying to get $1000-$1200 or so out of like new pre 64 in 308.

A 95% condition gun would probably sell on Gunbroker for $650 to $750 so a like new gun would probably bring $850 or so.

I just bought a Pre-64 Model 88 in .243 in a small gun shop a few weeks back and I think I gave $750 for it. It's in pretty nice shape and I would imagine about 90% condition. Used but not abused with a great bore. It is very, very accurate just like my .308 but none of the triggers on these are very good. On the plus side it came with a very nice old Weaver 4x steel tube scope and on the minus it has a pad, but the length of pull is correct. I would imagine it would be a lot more valuable without the pad in the $1000 range.

Bought my .308 a few years ago at a gun show and it is a beat up beater. I paid $450 for it with the same type scope. It is rough but it cleaned up ok and was well worth the money. Wish I could find a dozen more. It was the first one I owned that I shot and it is deadly accurate. Really surpised me the first time out.

I have a post 64 Model 88 in .308 and in 99.9999% condition. This sucker can outshoot my bolt actions and I've fired 3-shot, half inch groups at 100 yards. Pre or post, I would not sell it under $1000.00. I know the original owner and I know this rifle has less than ten days of actual deer hunting time on it.

The accuracy 88s seem to surprise a lot of people. Myself included. But not any more.....

The M-88 is almost a cult gun. I love mine and would not part with it easily.

My .308 Win quickly became a .30/.284, essentially a handy lever action 30-06 for oak brush and dark timber hunting. Caution: the .284 magazines are very pricey now. The dies are not cheap, either. It thrives on short and stout bullets that don't protrude into the limited powder space. Some say the 88's trigger is too crude, but you can get used to it.

If I were to see another offered in .308 I would try buying it for anything this side of $600, and the extra clip would be a bonus. The .308 is under-rated for elk and deer, but my gun-looney attitude got the best of me. Then the siren song of new, nicely figured wood chimed in. . . I have a bunch of money tied up in a personal favorite now. With a decent scope in the low-power range you will have a jewel.

Another unique feature of the 88 is that they are the one model that the post-64 is preferred and all Model 88s are C&R guns

For real? I'd not heard this before.
Not that I'm disagreeing, but wondering why this is?
From my lookings, still seems the pre-64 88's command more money?

Preferred by who? Why?

Not me.

Never heard this before either and I been buyin' old Winchesters for a long time. Not sure where you got this idea from......

the post 64s had mechanical improvements and function better. The stock was not an improvement. Rogue River Rifle Works always preferred to build their custom 88s on the post 64s

I have to agree with pacecars, I had both a pre and post 64 in 308, lots of changes occured in the life of an 88 with the post 64's being the best. Other than the stocks they are a much better rifle.
I had the post 64 rebored into a 338-08, gave the smith a choice as to which he wanted, post 64 won hands down.

Just because the later version is easier for a smith to work on, and that is better suited to certain more modern cartridges not based on the 308 Win case, does not necessarily mean it is better.

I agree, there were a TON of changes made to these rifles. Some were improvements, some not. Some were done specifically to improve the rifle, but others were done for "compatability" reasons. In order to utilize the 284, and also to make parts that were also useable in the Model 100 rifle. Not all changes were done after 1964, however.

That said, post '64 rifles are still in no way more desirable, and prices obviously reflect that fact.

Accuracy wise, I'll take the pre '64s..........

Rogue River 88 owned by late Bob Petersen.......

To each his own. I have owned a bunch of 88s and the post 64s were smoother and the triggers were easier to improve than the pre 64s

Yep. I think I got lucky with my current 1957 model. The trigger is very good (for an 88) and it shoots lights out. Of course all of the pre-64 88s I've known have been very good shooters.....

I still want an 88 in 358 Win caliber.
And since the factory ones are outta my price range, I'm going to try to find a donor 308 to have rebored up to 358 and get to my goal a lot cheaper.

And since I can find post-64's cheaper than pre-64's, that's probably the route I'll be going anyway...

How do you tell the difference in a pre/post 64 model 88?

What are the changes in the pre 64 model and when did they occur?
Phil

There are some internal differences as the 88's were produced, but the easiest way at a glance is looking at the stock.
Assuming the stocks haven't been switched around (then you need to look at serial numbers), but:

Pre-64 had the cut checkering stock.
Post-64 had the impressed basket weave stock.

Look at all the listings for 88's on GunBroker, you'll see the different stocks right away.

Pre-'64 Model 88s feature diamond cut-checkering on the pistol grip and fore-end and a steel lever. For the most part, those made after 1964 featured non-ferrous levers and impressed basketweave checkering. The levers were not all steel on post 64 models. http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/winchester-model-88?page=2. I remembered reading this but just now found it.

I would buy either model if the price were right. They are both members of the "cult".

Use an ordinary magnet on the lever. If it does not stick, its a post '64. Magnets do not stick to non-ferrous metals.

Sherwood

Win 88 information from Wisners

http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/winchesterl_88_100.htm

Not sure if it was mentioned but all Model 88s are C&R eligible. They are the reason I got a C&R license.