Winchester 88

[InfamousLegend]

My Step-Father owns a Model 88 Winchester in .308Win. From what I can tell the rifle was made in 1964 because I looked it up on a website but I am not 100% sure, The Serial # is 149XXXA for anyone who may be able to figure out more than me. If it was made in 64' does this mean it is of lower build quality? Because I hear people mention Pre-64' rifles are better.

Suffice it to say the rifle is very accurate even in my inexperienced hands. While I can shoot well I do not consider myself a great shot. In my eyes a great shot would be someone who spend severals days a month building his craft to put things in perspective. If it were put into someones hands with years of experience beyond my own it could drive tacks all day long. The trigger is light and very crisp.

The rifle has the basket weave checkered stock if that helps determine the time of production. So to get to the point. I used to not like this rifle but I have recently grown to like it and if my Step-Brother hasn't already claimed it I would like to own the rifle. The stock has some dings but the finish is not coming off anywhere but it does need a nice mineral oil rub to bring out its shine. The bluing is great and has very few scratches of which all are shallow and not deep. It also has a Buckmasters 3x9 scope. If I were to make a fair offer, how much would that be?

I also would like to hear anyone else's experiences with this rifle.

 

[LoonWulf]

Those always struck me as cool guns. http://oldguns.net/sn_php/windateslookup.php it looks to be from 63. Other then a mushy trigger ive never heard any complaints about them. Value I dont know, if i had to hasard a guess id say 550-600ish if its in realy good shape...maybe more.

 

[InfamousLegend]

It comes back as 64' when I do it not 63', weird.

 

[LoonWulf]

I may have goofed the serial. Im on my phone and fatty fingers make typing a bit hard lol.


Yeah i goofed i used 148

 

[451 Detonics]

The pre-64 issues refer mostly to the Model 70 bolt action rifles, that is when Winchester changed it's bolt from a controlled feed Mauser type to a push feed.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Better check the Blue Books, the 88 is going for north of $700 all day long.

The 88 is basically a leveractioned bolt gun with front lock up, every bit as accurate.

Pre-64 Winchester does not refer or primarily concern the Model 70, all Winchester models had metallurgy changes and machining differences starting in '64. Since the '94 outsold the M70 2 to 1, would it not affect those more often?

 

[Jim Watson]

The only 1964 change I know of on the 88 was from real checkering to a pressed basketweave pattern. I don't KNOW of any mechanical changes akin to the cost cutting measures on the 70 and '94, but there might be something.

 

[rcmodel]

Here is some good info on them:
It does seem the serial number list is goofed up between 1962 - 66 though.
http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/winchesterl_88_100.htm

rc

 

[451 Detonics]

The change of extractors and feed systems on the model 70s induced far more outcry than the metallurgical changes did and the difference between pricing on pre-64 Model 70s is far greater than the change on the prices of 94s.