Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors WINCHESTER 88s

I've taken a liking to them. I bought along with the nice Savage EG (also posted in Savage Forum). I installed a period Redfield 3X9 and these are the results with three different bullet brands, Winchester, Federal and Norma. Not bad in spite of a crappy trigger. The gun is very clean. (better pic on the Savage forum)

I too love the 88s. They are the reason I got a C&R license many moons ago when I found out they were all C&R regardless of year. Also they are one of the few guns that the post 64 is actually better than the pre 64 mechanically (not so sure about the basket weave checkering though). Triggers aren’t the greatest but they are pretty accurate

I'm guessing .308 Win. I've had every caliber they come in and still have a .284 Win and custom barrel .358 Win. There was a gunsmith in California (I think Rogue River) that worked on 88 triggers. I had my .284 done. It is better but still not great. That being said it is as accurate as any bolt action of the era.

Shot my biggest whitetail with a M/88 .308, I've owned every caliber except .284.

I have 4 of them, 2 rifles and 2 carbines, all chambered in 284. I don't care for the pistol grip geometry, too straight for my taste on the .88, but it works fine on the 100.

Lever actions are primarily an American thing, but Sako's Finnwolf shows us what the 88 could have been.

and currently cost a couple grand more.

Here is my pre-64 88. It's just about as clean. Also in 308. Regarding the pre/post 64 differences, I read/saw somewhere where the only difference was the stock. Perhaps one of you guys can shed some light ?

There was an article by John Wooters I believe that explained the differences. I will see if I still have it laying around. He also had a custom full stock 88 that I would love to reproduce.

There was a company in California that customized the 88s and specialized in improving the trigger pull as much as could be. They were the ones who stated the post were better to work on but I can’t remember why. It was an old article. They did beautiful work though. Going on my old memory so I may be full of crap

True, but you can't take it with you when you die, so you might as well enjoy the fruits of your labors while you are able to.

Googling ‘LeeRoy’s Ramblings Winchester Model 88’ will shed a lot of light on the differences.

magazine is flush on the post 64 and sticks out a bit on the pre for one difference off top of my head

Bingo! Didn’t they become the California Rigby?

I had a gunsmith work on both a pre and post. He commented how much easier the post was to deal with then the pre but didn't elaborate.

Went to the range yesterday to see how the 88 liked 180 Winchester Power Points (above post shows 150gr results). Even though the POI changed as expected, accuracy was pretty damned good:



My 100 on the other hand, didn't like them AT ALL, but it does very well with 150gr Federal High Shoks (three shots!)

Pinging on the question of differences between the "pre '64 and post versions of the Model 88". If literally limiting to that comparatively 'high Ricter Scale" landslide shift between many Winchester models, the Model 88 got off 'a bit easy'. The reason that a child of the latter fifties in original design, many of the 'econo' savings were already built in! Also, the retail price considerably exceeding a model 94 lever for instance, the 'price to pay of such as the .308 Winchester chambering and its "ilk", far more wiggle room afforded as "yet profitable".
The large noticeable difference was the stock! Much like the Model 70, the "impressed checkering era" and indeed correctly termed as "impressive" but favorably; no one! By 64, most all "original design and specific cartridge nuance particulars" as long worked out. The "metal finish problems particularly inherent to the 'post' era model 94, about entirely avoided if to view the two 'era' rifles next to one another. In other words, in visible/otherwise noticeable changes, about only the wood! From typical "understated svelte" to "gaudy"!
Winchester the Firm, in broader perspectives, seriously seeking every possible production cost savings available. The Model 88 as a platform along with the Model 100 in semi-auto, as "noble experiments. The 88 with rise and fall in about decade & half altogether. The central concept of a lever actuated high power rifle really about a "noble experiment". Sales falling to "so-so" as the enigmatic Model 94, for all its "post era" problems, considerably more popular! A situation almost surely Winchester failed to ever originally contemplate. Also, the Model 88 in chamberings "competing" with the Model 70, also a decades proven rifle of considerable reputation. Self-competition has to be reconciled in positive sales numbers on both sides of the dual models & chamberings equation. 'That', not working out! The Model 88, died! Moreover with nary a significant 'blip' on general Winchester buyer radars! Today, to say the 88 either a "collector rifle" or "cult rifle" not fair. But remaining a "specialty model" to be enjoyed by a definite specific following.
I'm with two such, both in .308 Win. One a '57 vintage and by then 'most all' growing pains worked out. My early '68 Model 'first year' of the "88 Carbine" & without SN letter prefix. For me, 'it', the entire model wide sweet spot as 19" barrel, plain stock & barrel band!

Seconding the tech info referral suggestion: "Leroy's Ramblings" resource as Models 88 & 100 info saturation! : https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun%20Articles/winchester_model_88_100_info.html

Best!
John

Excellent information, thank you.

My 1956 w 3.5-10
Shoots 1.5” groups w 110gr noslers

Cabela's in Green Bay, WI. has a pre-64 M88 .284 in their collector room for like 2k (920) 264-0140 fyi.