Thinking of thinning the herd.
Will hunters be interested in a 1950'd .243 Model 88 or is this just a collector/specialty gun?

Not looking for offers at this time

I'm not sure many hunters would go after it (price, collectibility, etc), but it all depends on the guy and whether they want to hunt with a classic or keep it in the safe. As you know, it would draw lots of interest regardless of the intended use.

Keep us posted...I'd certainly be interested

Looks like a very nice rifle in a great caliber. Seeing That gun makes me think of hunting whitetail deer. I,d be interested too.

Nice rifle.

The 88 was a favorite of Al Miller. His was a .284, I believe.

I first saw one in a store in Cumberland, MD about 1966. It was a post-64 .243 complete with impressed oak leaves and, I believe, acorns. I thought it was the the coolest rifle I'd ever seen.

I think there would be a fair amount of interest....

There would be interest because it's an action and rifle few have handled along with being left hand friendly and a pre-64!

When I saw one in a shop a few years ago I bought it just to work the action and see how it shot.

While I started, by chance, with the 99 Savage half a century ago I found the 88 workable and I could have enjoyed it as well.

Mine is a 308 and quite a good shooter. The only negative is that it came with a compass in the stock. I didn't pay all that much for it.

My question is not whether someone will want it.
My question is whether hunters will want it for hunting.

Guaranteed somebody will want it!

How can someone seriously answer that question?

I'd say someone is more likely to want the rifle for hunting, than target shooting, etc.

That's a beautiful rifle and to answer your question, an emphatic yes. Lots of guys would love to hunt with that rifle. In fact it would be unthinkable to let it languish in the safe. Rifles were made to be used, collector piece or not. I've never bought into the philosophy of hoarding collectable guns and never taking them afield. I guess the collectors probably think I'm nuts to take a collectable gun hunting.

Mart

If I had it, someone would hunt with it.

My sister uses a 88 in 243. Seems to do just fine with it.

I have taken pronghorn and mule deer with a 243 rifle. Would I use the Win 88 for hunting ? Yes but I would try not to damage it..

I would hunt it

Brother, who is recoil sensitive, used one for years. He gave it to his number one grandson a few years ago, and it gets used quite often.

After cleaning it, I found the rifle way over engineered. I would pass, but they do have a following, and they are generally plenty accurate for deer, turkey, hogs, coyotes, and such. Brother head shot a good many gobblers with his.

Jt: just curious. How was it over engineered? Honest question, not trying to start an argument. Thx.

They don't have anything going for them in ergo's,twist,throat or Precision......................

Other than that, they work just fine for their intended purpose.

Undoubtedly.

If you want something to coddle and make some noise,they'll certainly connect both them dots..................

So that has been your experience with your model 88s?

They are still used here in the north-east in fact 2 guys in my camp swear by them. I had a .308 as a kid and never had an issue with mine.

B 1313 -

Sweet rifle. I never owned one but do like their ergos.

If I owned it I'd hunt it for WT where I'm hunting now.

Always wanted one in 284 W.

sometimes you do make me chuckle out loud

Have shot piles of 'em. Here's HOPING your Imagination to grant you enough Pretend,to afford the dElusion that ain't so.

I'm more of a BLR guy if forced to slum a lever,do superior ergo's,twist,throating,stock attachment,etc.



Hint.

Though I'm admittedly looking forward to more of your "keen" "insight"...do NOT be shy..................

Facts is facts and as Noise Makers go...one could do worse..............

You did not answer the question.

If I couldn't hunt it, I'd have no use for it.. Not exactly what you wanted to hear was it?

You Droolers are a hoot.

Their schit stock puts the boot to you,when weighing felt recoil to case capacity/bullet weight. They wander like a Mad Woman taking a schit,in changing weather and it's impossible to squirt killer bullets of them,in the few chamberings that are of merit.

What else has your curiosity? Perhaps why those stark realizations,were/are wellllllllllll beyond your perceptors?!?

Laughing!.............

Rant all you want you made a statement you can't back up.

Please cite the "offending" statement,that your "experience" takes exception to and I'll delight in rubbing your nose even further in your Stupidity.

Do NOT be shy!...................(hint)

For the second time, I asked for your experiences with your personal Winchester Model 88 as it relates to your statement that they must be coddled.

And you better step out of that hole your standing in if you want to reach my nose.

I've flogged on tons of schit that I'd not own. Hint...as to why I'd not own it. Re-hint.

Blued/Walnut is THE definition of how to assemble a Coddler. Re-hint.

I get a kick out of your haste to talk out your amazingly clueless ass,as you flaunt your Imagination and swoon your Pretend.................

indeed

Wow.. I bet the real Alaskans can clean their weapons. That is beyond pathetic.. Your best huh.. Pretty sad and pathetic.

You are devoid a single inkling,regarding POA/POI correlations,long shot strings and the soothing sanctity of a known CBS...if only as starters.

I'm as at ease sandbagging,as you are swinging for the fence on every pitch.

Do not let the cat get your tongue....................(hint)

Glad to see the high minded polite discourse

Facts can be unsettling,especially for the Delusional.

Funny how it actually works..................

For years my Dad used a Model 88 in 308. He loved the rifle. It's easily the most attractive lever rifle made. I liked my old Marlin 336, but the Model 88 was better looking. Unfortunately, Dad was not into cleaning and maintenance, so when the rifle developed ejection problems, he sold it cheap rather than find a gunsmith. If the OP wanted to sell his, I'm sure it would bring a good price.

Only recall handling one or two, seems like they had about 9-lb triggers on them.

Mike

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.

You couldn't knock the new off a used pair of boots...even if you could afford them.

Bless your heart................

I really expected more.. Pathetic

More than your Imagination?

That's on you Toots and you are welcome to the "satisfactions".

Laughing!................

Take the pills then wait before the booze.. to close and.. well you see what happens..

Imitation...is...the...most...sincere...form...of...Flattery.

Keep telling yourself how you really "get after it"!

Laughing....................

Remind me again why this is better than old wood and blued steel?

Fascinating Treatise,that all Blued/Walnut wares are equal.

You REALLY get after it,don't you?

Laughing!................

You don't let your kids use that junk do you? I hate when adults force children to use crap they wouldn't use themselves. Just sayin. Laffin

My first 88 was/ is a 243. And believe it or not it is one of my most accurate factory rifles...

Oh I'm thinking the kids get by with wares,that likely aren't either blued or walnut.

Funny how it actually works...............