Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Will hunters be interested in a pre-64 .243 Model 88?

The two I've around and shot quite a bit have terrible triggers. Not sure what a decent smithy can do with them. They are definately kickers for their size.

they gots purty checkering.....

With a buncha GOOD stuff sprinkled on the deck,NOONE with a clue would saunter towards an 88...................

I would.

But it wouldn't be for ergos, accuracy, weatherability, consistency or overall dependability.

Sometimes a man can just find interest in a manufacturer's attempts at innovation. I have one of these and I'm well aware of all of it's weaknesses. That doesn't distract from my enjoyment when I'm carrying it in appropriate conditions for mid west white tail. I enjoy hunting with it very much, my reasons are more of a historical connection to US manufacturing evolution, to engineering and marketing risks that were maybe a bit outside the box.

I am personally aware of what exactly it is and what exactly it isn't. There are times and conditions where I sincerely enjoy hunting with mine.

For the same reasons a 1963 401 buick nailhead is cool between the fenders of a 53 chevy 2 dr sports couple.

It's not cool because it's the best you can do. Far from it, the shoebox chevy handles like a wale on a skate board. And the nail head with it's tiny valves is certainly limited for air flow.

But it's cool from the "period correct" hot rodder prospective. The 53 sports coupe was sweet, to this day it's still overlooked by all those that would rush to the Camaro, mustang, "57 chevy" or anything more mainstream. And the nailhead, yeah it's a sucky design as far as airflow. But it was a torque beast with forged steel guts and a monster high lift cam right from the factory. Hot rodders knew this so it got the nod as one of the popular engine swaps for a sporty 2 door jalopy back in the day.

I don't NOT like milestone nostalgia items just because there is something newer, stronger, faster better available today.

Everything you said about the 88 is true. They kick like a mule, the trigger sucks ass, the linkage driven action operates like a car door that has to be jerked open, firing pins are known to break, especially on pre-64 vs post 64.

It isn't always about performance.

They are interesting rifles, and people love the under dog.

If I'm spending what I feel is a good deal of money on a particular hunt that involves out of state travel or some other remarkable conditions such as a once in a lifetime moose tag etc. I would NOT grab this rifle.

But, closer to home, casual effort, low stakes hunt? Yes.

Well said Dave. There is more than one reason to like a particular rifle.

Sharing that on Facebook so we can "like" it.......a well penned perspective that few can so eloquently convey.

I see an "I ain't into polishing turds" headed this way.

I like Sleepers more than anyone...but Stupid is never smart.

There's NOTHING redeeming in an 88,from stem to stern,literally by design.............

I respect your opinion. lol.

Not directly related, but the only lever action that has ever failed me was a BLR.

Short action 81 model in 243.

The action would skip teeth, go out of time and jam open or fail to completely close.

I repaired it, sold it and I'll never hunt with another one after seeing what drives that bolt carrier inside the receiver.

"Delicate" is what comes to mind.

Granted, the core of that issue was a nylon gear bushing that Browning decided to use rather than brass. I could have brought the action to it's full potential with a good bushing. But those tiny gear teeth did not impress me, looked like they belonged in a clock rather than a rifle.

The Winchester 88 is the Renee Zellweger of rifles.

There will always be a handful of Barts out there that need their Renee, even when everybody else if saying "WTF?"

lol!

The worst thing about an 88 is it reminds me of the 100.

Yeah I'm sorry but I can't come up with any lustful words for a model 100.

Never handled one, but that stock looks like there is too much drop for using a scope comfortably. Might be a neat little timber gun to carry with open sights.

Schit happens.................

Picked up a M100 back in high school with hay bucking money. Never could get the damn thing to cycle well. Finally started shooting a mid pressure load with nickel platted brass using small base dies just to get it to run.

Traded that bitch off to a guy that wanted it anyway.

Stick,

A video tutorial of the LR-BLR is definately needed.

Aint that a bish.

Looks like I'm not the only one with a talent for breaking chit.

It'll phuqq with heads.................(grin)

I break alotta schit and KNOW that,going in...that hard use does wares no favors.

If I had to swap out a nylon gear on a BLR every 20 shots,I'd do that,rather than slum an 88.

But that ain't quite how it goes....................(grin)

Looks like it belongs in the garden.. Holding up the tomatoes.

Keep the tube low and it lines up well enough for me.



But I'm one of those silly jarheads that fits himself to the weapon, instead of the other way around.

Like them tip offs? Lol... very "swiss army" period correct gadgetry.