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Came across a 1970 vintage model 88 308 cal at local gun shop. This is in like new condition. Apparently someone brought thing and to sell for cash. They claim its only had less than a box through it. I beleave it. Not a mark on it. So im not familiar with this as far as what there worth. Any input would be helpful.

$500

Post '64 .308 Win. Model 88 in 100% condition is priced at $925 in the 30th Ed. Blue Book. It's $650 in 98% condition.

DF

I know where there is a Pre-64 model in super nice shape with $300 worth of glass and mounts on it for $1,100. So that would put the rifle at $800. And this rifle is really nice. The rifle has been for sale for awhile at that price-so it is not moving at that price.

I hope this helps you a little. The rifle is a mid 50's era rifle. So being a pre-64 would have a good bit more value. However I do not know if the Pre-64 88's are as popular as the other Pre-64 Winchester's. But everyone I have talked to say they are. Tom.

I have a pre-64 Model 88 and prefer it to the post-64. I just don't like stamped checkering.

The guy trying to sell his pre-64 would be better served to remove the glass and sell the gun for $800, IMHO. He could sell the glass separately. Gotta be innovative when stuff doesn't move.

DF

Pick up 88s here for like $600 most of the time. Offer the guy that much, or even a bit less. If a gunshop bought it they paid a lot less than that for it. Trigger on the 88s needs some work, but can be smoothed up and shoot well when trigger smoothed up.

The 88 is a great rifle and usually group very well. The rifle in the condition you stated will bring 700 to 800 .

If you want it offer the dealer $400.

Here is a pre 64 for 650.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-88-308.cfm?gun_id=100201307




I got a pre 64 recently for under $500. If that one has basket weave 'checkering' I would pass on it.

What's the advertised condition on that one?

DF

The Model 88 is the one Winchester that shouldn't suffer from the Pre-64 / Post-64 comparison. The gun was newly designed to take advantage of the newer methods of manufacturing that were being introduced in the post WW-II era (many that were incorporated into other post-64 firearms at Winchester). The only thing that suffered on the M88 was the downgrade in walnut quality through the late 50's, the lowering of quality in the hand-cut checkering (and machine cut late in the pre-64 era) which bottomed out with the pressed checkering of the post-64 guns. From a mechanical point of view the post-58 guns through the end of production just got tweaked and made a little better. I leave the first three years (55-57) to the collectors - if you want a reliable hunting firearm stick with the 1958 and later M88. Several changes were incorporated; a rounded tang - the early cloverleaf, while neat to look at and wonder over, was bad for cracking stocks. The third lug on the bolt (the one that feeds the cartridge from the magazine into the chamber was improved by the addition of a cartridge lifter from 1958 and later - makes feeding much more reliable when combined with the improved magazine (early guns have a flat bottom magazine, later guns have a stepped magazine). There are other tweaks as well; as to the value, a 100% post-64 rifle in .308 WIN is worth every bit of $750.00.

Thanks, for the input everyone. I did purchase the rifle for 475.00. This thing is like new I can not find a mark on it,the story is this thing sat in the gun cabinet from day one when purchased in 1970, I cant see anything to make me think different.I feel as if I purchased a new unused example.

You did great, congratulations - go kill something with it this fall!

I have one with no checkering at all. Was this a factory option or has it just been sanded away on mine?

The carbine version of the M88 was manufactured in .243 WIN and .308 WIN with a smooth stock (19" barrel and barrel band); if yours is a rifle (22" barrel) with no checkering it has been sanded or an aftermarket stock added (Bishop and Fajen both offered them).

I killed this buck in the early 80's in Blackwater , VA with my 88 in 308. Win 180 gr PP RN.

I enjoyed reading your words on the Win 88. I have two of them a pre and a past the pre was my Dads. They are both good shooters. We hunted deer in Pa. Mountain areas as well as farms. Both rifles were cal 308 and we used 180 grain bullets because of the brush. Our average kill shot shot was 50 yards.
We shot them in at 100yrds and consistently hit a 5" target with no more than an inch spread. I agree with you the difference between the two are minimal. The reason my dad had a Win 88 is because he is left handed and the reason I got one is I liked his.

It is a 22 inch with no barrel band so the checkering must have been sanded off. Thank you for the good info.