Anyone hunt with Winchester 88?

[bushmaster1313]

I do not hunt but I briefly owned a nice Model 88 in .308 until I shot it at the range and discovered how unfun it was to shoot.

Is there a following of hunters who prefer the .308 Model 88?

If there are, they are probably sinister lefties (southpaws, not Liberals)

 

[NYH1]

I had a Winchester model 88 308 Win. and thought it was a pleasure to shoot with factory 150, 165 and 180 gr. ammo as did my wife and 10 year old son. I traded it a few months ago for a new Remington model 7600 Carbine 30-06 Spr.

The M88 carried more like a bolt action because of the one piece stock then it did a lever action. If I'm going to carry a gun that felt like a bolt gun I might as well just carried my Remington 700 Classic 280 Rem.

I didn't dislike the M88, however the M7600 Carbine makes a better main hunting rifle/carbine then the M88 did. I couldn't afford to keep both so the M88 had to go.

NYH1.

 

[bergmen]

We had one in our family for 50 years (Model 88, .308 Winchester). My Dad hunted with it for decades and took several deer with it. I inherited it in 1987 when my Dad passed away.

I never really warmed up to it, did not care for the difficulty in working the action. It was very accurate and easy to shoot (never had any issues with any recoil discomfort). My Marlin lever actions were much more fun.

I sold it on consignment and bought a Browning X-Bolt Medallion in .308 Winchester to replace it.

Dan

 

[rule303]

My Uncle hunted with one since he bought it new in '62. He passed away last winter following our annual Wyoming deer hunt, and now his son is planning to take it out in the field this fall.

 

[Corky09]

Dads old gun

My dad hunted with a Model 88 from 1957 until he passed this year. He took more deer than I can remember, several elk, a few antelope and a bear or two.
He bought one for my brother and a Model 100 for my mom. He had more good memories with this rifle and a Model 50 shot gun than anything in his life, except maybe us kids, or maybe not. He loved is 88. I picked it up this weekend and will use it some just out of respect than anything else. It has been drug through the mud and snow and still never failed him. I hope you enjoy yours as much.

 

[69Rebel]

I've got a model 88 and love it. It was kinda crusty when I got it, so I detail stripped and cleaned it. Now, it's one of the silky-smoothest lever guns I've ever operated. Plenty accurate, and about as light as a 56 year old gun gets. A keeper for sure.
This one is my second, having foolishly sold the first.