Winchester 88

junkbug · Post by **junkbug** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:54 pm

Greetings all,

What can you tell me about the Winchester Model 88. There is one, in very good condition (some blue wear), with a Weaver 8X scope for sale near me for $800.00. The only catch is that it was originally chambered for .243 Win., but has been altered to a 6mmx.284 (wildcat) configuration. I'm sure that can't help its value if I were to ever wat to re-sell it. It also make me wonder just how well that cartridge will function in that action, since the case itself is of a greater diameter than the parent, although the rim is the same.

Thanks for any insight.

Sean

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:30 pm

That sounds high to me but they made it in 284. I would check to see that it funtions with those 6/284 cartridges if you decide to get it.

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:16 pm

I have one in .308. Havent worked it out too much yet. Fine rifle, but I know nothing about the caliber or effects on resale about yours.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:49 pm

Junkbug,
Stay away from it. The alternation puts it in the lower class of shooters. Plus, you don't know the history of it. May have problems. As for resale value, 99% of people want a gun in a chambering they know.

The only way I would buy something like that is if I know who did the work and know the owner who had it done. And then they might get $300 out of me.

BTW--Hows the .44 Russian doing for you?---------Sixgun

junkbug · Post by **junkbug** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:21 am

Sixgun;
Thanks for the advice. That was my basic feeling about it, although it shouldered well, and I liked the Weaver 8X. More potential problems than it is worth.

I have not gotten off my lazy butt and cast any .44 cal boolits to use. I have no cast or swaged bullets handy, and don't want to use jacketed, so the "El Ruskie" sits. Hopefully not for too long.

Sean

johnly · Post by **johnly** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:46 pm

Looks like the owner traded 500 fps. for $500 of rifle value from my perspective.

John in Oregon

johnly · Post by **johnly** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:39 pm

bogus bill wrote:I have one in .308. Havent worked it out too much yet. Fine rifle, but I know nothing about the caliber or effects on resale about yours.

The cut checkering indicates a pre-64 manufacture. The factory stock has a plack plastic but plate, so the recoil pad was added. Hopefully they didn't cut the stock when they did the modification.

John

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:55 pm

It was built in 1957. I gave $695 for it a little over a year ago. It has a limbsaver pad. I am a big guy and it doesnt seem short. I since put a Leopold V-11 3X9 on it. Still have to sight it in. I would say the gun is 90% or more. No wear to be seen.

johnly · Post by **johnly** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:27 pm

I have a 1956 vintage M88 308 as well as a 1963 vintage 284. They shoot better than most people give them credit for, and that's likely due to the factory trigger.

John