Have an opportunity to buy both in 308, but can only afford one.

Which model is the most reliable and trouble free? Opinions?

88 is by far more reliable!

THAT!!!!

I'm looking for a Jamo100Winchester. My buddies dad carried one. Jammed all the time.

I've got both the 88 and 100. The 100 had a problem with not ejecting the brass. Finally figured it out with a bore scope. Carbon buildup in the shoulder and neck area the previous owner never addressed. Polished out and no more problems.
But as far as most reliable I'd say my 88 is hands down.

M88 here

M88

Model 88 any day, does anyone do trigger work on the 88s?

All the advice so far is right. The model 88 wins the reliability contest by a leaps and bounds. That said, have had a 100 that was a PIA (constant ejection issues) and one that was flawless (still have that one). The PIA was a post 64 while the good one a pre-64. If you're recoild sensitive a good 100 that functions well is your huckleberry, but if recoil isn't an issue for you I'd pick the 88 every time.

Good luck. Let us know how you make out and which direction you go.
Rob

My buddy had a model 88 in 243 and the trigger was just awful it was about 8-9lbs but very rough and creepy. He send it out to a very reliable Colorado gunsmith ( no names ) who told him he would not work on it. He then met a gunsmith at a gun show in Durango and he cleaned it up more or less but it wouldn’t break under 6 lbs. I’ve heard nothing but terrible things about these trigger mechanisms so maybe there is somebody out there that can actually clean them up these days but I doubt it.

Rick

I've owned quite a few of each, still have 4x Model 88s in 284 and 3x Model 100s. If your primary criteria are reliability and trouble free operation then buy the Model 88.

The only problems that I've had with the Model 100s have been feeding problems that were magazine related and only with those in 284. Like many semi-automatic rifle, the Model 100 needs to be kept clean and properly lubricated. I use the 2 Model 100s in 308 for still hunting in tight cover and, occasionally, the 243 when calling coyotes.

I consider myself very lucky. My 88 has a pretty good trigger

Do not buy Model 100 clunker. I believe Winchester did a recall on at least some Model 100s.

I can't criticize the Model 100 only as lack of personal experience, but persistent rumors would support the above criticisms. The earlier pre sixty four 88 Models had considerably better stock aesthetics. I have two such and my one 'otherwise bummer' appearance '68 Model is a Carbine intro'd that year and those plain Jane aesthetics quite decent! Triggers, as the price you pay for what you get as a "field lever digesting relatively heavier modern loads . Love em or leave em!
Just my take!
Good Luck!
John

Aesthetically speaking, I find the pressed checkering style that Winchester chose for their Models 88 and 100 to be quite attractive, at least to the degree that any pressed checkering can be attractive. The comb height is a little low for me to get optimal eye alignment when using a scope, but okay for a receiver sight like a Lyman 66W88. The carbine stocks have a wider forearm with a flatter bottom than the rifle stocks that I don't really care for, so I put my Model 100 carbine's barreled action into a Model 100 rifle stock.

EDIT: Winchester used a similar pressed checkering style on the deluxe grade editions of their rimfire 250/255, 270/275, and 290 rifles. They also put higher grade nicely figured wood on those rimfire rifles.

I knew a gunsmith that would never recommend a M100 over a M88.
He said the 100's extractors tended to break, and he couldn't find replacements.