Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Wincheste model 88

I just left a local gun shop where I placed a model 88 on hold, I have been wanting one for some time now and am excited to finally get my hands on one. Its got a nice walnut stock on it and when I looked up the serial number it shows it was made in 1956! Anyway my question is what brand and grain bullet ammo has anyone had the best luck with n this gun? I haven't shot it yet but I thought I may do a little research ahead of time.

Winchester Silver tips of course. That's what mine shot well with back then.-Mike

Did you have a preference on certain grain of bullet? I have seen some folks say 180 grain and others say 150.

Sean- You haven't told me what yours is chambered for. Mine is a .308 and I have always used 150s in it. I reload for everything now but the last good old Silver Boxed Winchester .308 factory loads shot very well. I can't post pics here but I would like to see yours when it gets to your place. I do know that they shot 180s well if my old buddies aren't liars.-Mike

I've hunted with a 1963 built M88 in .308 WIN for many years - it has always preferred a 165 grain bullet over a 150; I load my own.

I have a 1957 .308 that just got a new VX2 3-9x40 for Christmas.

Mine shoots 150gr handloads into teeny groups. And also shoots the cheap Federal silver box 150gr SP stuff into 3/4" and better.......

Sorry I should have clarified its a 308 most of what I have read makes it sound like it depends on the rifle. I do plan on hand loading as well. Its to damned expensive to shoot with factory loads!

I have a .243 model 88 carbine that shoots the Federal/Estate 100 grain economy load much better than it should. Last time I had it to the range to sight in, the last 3 round group was contained within the 1" center bull. Neat rifles

I hear they can be very accurate. Now that I have the 308 I want to track downa 243

They actually have model 70 barrels. I have several, two are for sale on gunbroker. The one I hunt with shoots 165 & 180 grain hand loads just fine.

If and when you tear it down for cleaning, pay attention to how the parts go together. When cleaning my brother's 243 several years ago, I had to leave to tend to a matter at work, and didn't get back to the 88 for a couple of days.

That is the only gun that I ever tore down that I had to have a manual to get it back together.

Nice rifles. Brother gave his to a grandson after a heart attack that should have killed him. Best wishes, jack

165 gr bullets stuffed with 4064. I use 43 grains.

Don't tear it apart unless you have some slave pins. Take it out of the stock and spray liberally with carb cleaner or breakfree or? to get all the crud out, then lube.

Check how the barrel sets in the barrel channel in the stock. Some are off center and they need the front dovetail that the forend screw goes into drifted over to center.

Here is something you might find useful.

http://www.gunreports.com/special_r...r-Model-88-lever-action-rifle2480-1.html

Need a manual?

http://stevespages.com/page7b.htm

SeanRemick: The load my pre-64 Model 88 in 308 Winchester shot best was:
Federal nickel plated brass
Remington 9 1/2 primers
IMR 4064 45.0 grains
Hornady 150 grain SP/PT
I killed a couple of Whitetails with this before I decided the gun was just to valuable to be Hunted with anymore.
So I "retired it".
Hope you get to try this load it was accurate and lethal for me!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy