How Smooth Is The Action On Win 88?

[COSteve]

I'm considering a 4 digit Win 88 but when cycling the action I notice that it is a bit clunky. It seems smooth alright but a bit clunky. What should a good action feel like? What should I look for when examining it?

[Old Time Hunter]

Almost the same as a BLR, just a tad bit slicker.

[Joel]

Its a different feel from a 94 or 92 for sure. I guess you could say it is a bit clunkier.

I have a few, love them. Extremely accurate.

What caliber you looking at?



Triggers can be a little spongy, normal from what I hear. Magazines are very $$$, and can have feeding problems, sometimes need to be tuned. 88s are prone to usual cracks in the usual places.


There is a beautiful 5 digit .243 at a local shop, two mags. A bargain at $800. I am so broke, otherwise I would own it. Wears a nice Leupold too. Wish a levergunner would buy it.

[COSteve]

This one's in .308, the most common caliber but actually the one I prefer.

This is a rifle version with an old, somewhat dry recoil pad mounted to the cut stock which has the usual hunting scratches, metal shows some wear but no rust and only a couple of thin spots, stock iron sights (front w/o hood) and no evidence that a scope was ever mounted. It comes with the original 1955 mag.

What is a fair price range for a Win 88 in say 80% condition?

[Blaine]

As you shorten the throw on a lever, you lose some mechanical advantage, so I'm not so sure it should be called clunky, just a bit harder. Having said that, my 88 in .284 is maybe my smoothest lever, except for the 9422s.....

[Joel]

This one's in .308, the most common caliber but actually the one I prefer.

This is a rifle version with an old, somewhat dry recoil pad mounted to the cut stock which has the usual hunting scratches, metal shows some wear but no rust and only a couple of thin spots, stock iron sights (front w/o hood) and no evidence that a scope was ever mounted. It comes with the original 1955 mag.

What is a fair price range for a Win 88 in say 80% condition?

$500 maybe? Cut stock, not exactly rare but well sought

[Blaine]

My .284 is not over 85%, and it's not for sale, but if it were I'd start at 1200 and work down some.

[Booger Bill]

Steve, I think I paid close to $700s for this one in .308 three years ago. Its a 1957 and I would say 95%. I have since put on a leopold. The trigger is heavier than I like.

[Joel]

My .284 is not over 85%, and it's not for sale, but if it were I'd start at 1200 and work down some.

$1200 might be a steal considering how rare a 284 is.

[Blaine]

My .284 is not over 85%, and it's not for sale, but if it were I'd start at 1200 and work down some.

$1200 might be a steal considering how rare a 284 is.

I need to get this one up and running: Mount a Leupold VXIII 1.5 x 5 30mm that I have for it, and load some ammo....I'm so lazy anymore Using quality bullets, this one could do it all.

[Old Ironsights]

I handled one at a local auction, thinking to buy. I had high hopes when I first saw pics, but when I handled it it swung like a log and the action was horrible. The action could have been just on that gun, but the heft would be endemic.

I much prefer the 99... they point fast & true.

[Hobie]

I have shot both the 88 and 99 and like the 99 a whole lot better. I bought a 99.

[2ndovc]

I picked up a near new '70s vintage 88 in .308 win for @$350 at a local shop.

Deadly accurate but I couldn't get warmed up to it.
Action was stiff and clunky. Rather have my old 99 Savage too.

I know there's guys here that swear by their 88s but I just couldn't get into it.

jb

[1886]

How does the action feel with the mag. removed? 1886.

[furrow]

Cycling with an empty mag is rougher than when there are rounds. The only "clunky" for mine is when the ejector pops over the rim upon closing. Nothing I have tried yet fits me as good as an 88. When I throw it up to my shoulder (has a scope) it feels like I am wearing it. Points and swings like a dream. The trigger on mine must be an exception, different but not spongy. Give it a chance mine has only gotten smoother over time. Being an Elkaholic if it was in .358 I might not own any Big Bore Winchesters.

Chris

[Old Savage]

I agree with caw on the fit for me.

[COSteve]

I went back today and made them an offer on this consignment rifle. They called the owner and he wouldn't budge from what I think is an unreasonably high position so I passed. I think a price in the $400-$500 range is reasonable but this guy wanted considerably more than that.

[firefuzz]

To me at least, the 99 and BLR are both much smoother actions than an 88 Winchester.

Rob

[Mike D.]

I bought one new in 1962, used it for several seasons, then sold it. I just wasn't happy with the gun at the time, but it might have been a mistake to let it go. I ended up with the only "new" rifle I own and shoot every year, my old Remington 700BDL .30-06 that was purchased after the sale of the Winchester 88 in 1964. I much prefer the bolt gun over the 88.

[Blaine]

Envious ones are always the first to say nay

[Old Ironsights]

Envious ones are always the first to say nay

Honestly, I was really hopeful that I would like toe one I got to handle... but I just couldn't warm to it. Like I said, to me it hefted like a log.

[Blaine]

to me it hefted like a log.

So did my last Girlfriend, but HooooEeee, was it worth it