Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Winchester 88

That Win 88 is a great looking rifle, but I know nothing about it. What years were they made and what calibers are available? How available are they on the gun show circuit, and what can a guy expect to pay for a decent shooter? Thanks...

Winchester 88 rifles were made from 1955 to 1973, serial numbers 1 through H283718. Carbines were made from 1968 through 1973 within the same block of serial numbers.

Rifles were chambered for 243, 284, 308, and 358. Carbines weren't chambered in 358.

The press checkered post-'64 guns seem to be more common than the pre-'64 cut checkered guns, however, there were actually more pre-'64 88's made than there were post-'64s. Pre-'64 serial numbers run 1 through 148858. Post-'64 serial numbers run 148859 through H283718.

Most common to least common are 308, 243, 284, and 358. You should be able to buy an excellent, original, post-'64 308 rifle for between $450 and $550. Check Gunbroker #11883899 for a typical post-'64 308.

Jeff

was it offered in .356?

It's been a few years now but I believe the world record typical whitetail was taken with the 88 win. in .308 cal.
It was taken in Canada. The rest of the details I can't recall. There is one lucky hunter that loves his 88.
joken2

MODEL 88 LEVER ACTION RIFLE
- pre-�64 version with diamond cut checkering, no barrel band, 22 in. barrel. Mfg. 1955-63. Total production for all varieties of the Model 88 Lever Action was approx. 284,000 units.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
.308 Win. (1955-1963) $850 $550 $450 $400 $340 $275 $200
.243 Win. (1956-1963) $900 $600 $550 $450 $400 $350 $325
.358 Win. (1956-1962) $1,995 $1,400 $1,200 $1,000 $850 $750 $700
.284 Win. (Intro-1963) $1,495 $1,200 $1,000 $900 $800 $700 $550



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MODEL 88 LEVER ACTION RIFLE
- 1964 model with impressed basket weave checkering, no barrel band, 22 in. barrel. Mfg. 1964-73.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
.308 Win. (1964- N/A) $575 $475 $400 $350 $300 $250 $200
.243 Win. (1964- N/A) $650 $525 $450 $400 $350 $300 $250
.284 Win. (1964- N/A) $950 $775 $700 $650 $600 $450 $400



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MODEL 88 LEVER ACTION CARBINE
- introduced 1968, no checkering, one- piece stock, barrel band, 19 in. barrel. Mfg. 1968-73.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
.308 Win. (1968-1973) $795 $600 $500 $450 $350 $300 $250
.243 Win. (1968- N/A) $875 $625 $500 $450 $350 $300 $250
.284 Win. (1968- N/A) $1,375 $1,200 $900 $650 $575 $475 $350

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Use the search function to check all these forums for the expression "Winchester 88", a few months ago there was a discussion about mechanical improvements in the later versions with pressed checkering, they are better than the cut checkered rifles.
The reverse of what you'd expect.

Some of these were foreign made, anyone have a ser# range? Were they made here and Japan at the same time? How did Sako aquire the design for their 'Wolf?

Here is a picture of a pre & post 88. Both are (were) 308's

The top one is a post 64 (1965) but was rebored and rechambered to a 338-08, I traded it's light colored walnut press checkered oak leaf stock for a Fajen. Bottom one is a stock 88 ( 1961) If you look real close at the two, the post 64 has a bigger receiver opening and has dual ejector pins vs. the pre 64's smaller receiver opening and single ejector pin. There are also some milling groves inside the receiver on the pre 64 that are missing on the post 64.

Both rifles have terrible triggers but once you shoot them enough they almost become like a two stage trigger.

Thanks, everyone, for the great info. I think I may keep my eyes peeled for one of these!