I have a model 88 308 as a hunting rifle in Norway. I like the look very much, and the accuracy is good. The safety is reversible if you are a left hand shooter like me. In Norway theese go for around 450-500 dollar.
I one day hope to own one (or more) of these. Especially the original Winchester, the sako is very nice as well but the Winchester name is always nice to have.
One rarely finds true quality in mass appeal goods. USOG (edit - sorry I don't know your name) knows where to find the gems, rare or not so rare, his eye for quality and excellent design is clearly very good. The channel is great.
That Finnwolf is a real beauty, and its value will continue to increase as time goes buy. Ditto for that beautifully restocked model 88, and it was smart to hang onto the factory stock for collector's purposes, even though the restock job really dresses it up.
I love my 88. My dad has one and I wanted one just like it and he got me one for Christmas. Mine is a pre 64 and have turned it down offers several times
You know, the stock upgrade makes those rifles look incredible! It makes me wonder what would have happened if Winchester had decided to raise the bar in '64 instead of going cheap. The post '64 Model 70 could have been dressed up to surpass the 700BDL as the actual design has always been a great design. Under another model designation, it would have been heralded as another great Winchester model. But by going cheap, Winchester lost out with many influential gun writers such as Jack O'Connor, you can't win 'em all... Again, those stocks made a huge difference! Beautiful rifles!
I agree with everything you wrote. The stock generally makes the gun. It is what ties the shooter to the rifle. Long hours in the woods or tree stand - one studies that wood and I'm always amazed how long the stock holds the warmth of hands. They guessed wrong with the post-64. It was and is a fantastic rifle - but that original stock...not so good.
I have one in .308 that my grandpa bought me on a whim at a gas station that sold guns in the early 70's. Always loved it, something he didn't mention is the trigger goes down with the lever so you don't have to worry about your finger on the way back up. Had a buddy who was a way better shot than me,boom boom boom , three heads hit. It's a pretty quick shooter and gives pumps a run for their money. I like and have flat ones too, this is a different animal and well worth a look if you're a lever guy.
Hello, I have one of these 88s in .308 manufactured in 1956 (they came out in 1955) and it is a joy to shoot. The triggers are a little mushy by bolt action standards but once you become accustomed to it these rifles are capable of excellent accuracy. Amongst the plethora of lever action rifles, these weapons deserve a lot more recognition. By the way, you forgot the very coveted .358 Winchester calibre. Thank you for a wonderful video. Cheers, Steve
Hi Steve - they should have stuck with the pre-64 model you have - nicest version - cut checkering and all. Thanks for reminding me - the .358 - I forgot even though I had one. And thanks for writing.
You have all the luck! .243 88s are scarce. I always wonder why so few bought .243s - which is an almost ideal cal. for the light 88. Anyway, excellent that you have it. Thanks for writing.
The sako is beautiful. Gear driven rotating bolt...what's not to love! Oh the price...gun broker hath brought me back to reality once again! Nice guns as always!!
I think you are exactly right about the really good guns not being around very long. I’m so glad I twisted my own arm and bought my model 70 heavy varmint in 22-250 back in 1996 or thereabouts. There are several other very nice guns I wish I had bought that aren’t built anymore.
Winchester 88 is a great rifle. Shot a quite a few deer with a pre 64 model 308 win. version. I shoot inch and a quarter to inch and a half groups with one! Yours has very nice looking stock! Thanks for the great video!
Daniel Bowman did you find that your model 88 preferred a certain type/grain of ammunition? I have a pre-64 chambered in 308, having a tough time finding ammo that it likes. Thanks
Thanks again for taking the time to make videos about guns less covered today. I am something of a swedish Yankophile so i much enjoy the vids about your classics. I bought a Winchester 88 in 308 made in 1970 today for 75$ i hope it will shot good. Cheers
That is an amazing buy. I think you'll find the 88 a remarkably accurate and "worth keeping" rifle - at least in my humble experience. Glad you are on board here. Much ground to cover and I wish I had more time...but I keep going as best I can.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Thanks for the reply. Over here we have a limit on rifles we can have at the same time, that kills the secondary market. Sometimes it feels like if it is not blaser it for free.
god, you have so many unique rifle!!! I am collecting all different kinds of action/mechanism of rifle, so watching your video just make me have so many new targets, sigh.
My uncle gave me his old Model 88 after my first deer hunting trip. It was pretty beat, so I restained the stock. I wish I had done more research before I did that. He said it was a piece of junk, but I really like it. It shoots super nice.
Hi Arctic - That's fantastic; the stain is fine - no worries. And your uncle must be a great fellow - the 88 will serve you for years. Hunting rifles don't have to be perfect. Sounds like you're got the life everyone wants - actually hunting and in the wilds. Stay safe and thanks for the note.
As a huge fan of both Winchester and Sako (two of my absolute favorite rifle manufacturers), I have never much cared for the Sako Finnwolf, although this video has me rethinking my original sentiment. I have owned several Pre- and Post-Garcias, but all being bolt guns. Same with Winchester, although I have owned many levers. One of my favorite rifles of all time is the Pre-64 Model 70 (have a very improved .270 and a plain-Jane .30-06). I don't know much at all about the Winny 88, but like the idea a great deal. Both remind me of the Savage 99. Anyway, as always, thanks for the outstanding information. You're one of the best classic firearms educators on RU-vid. Love watching your videos and have learned a great deal. Thanks, USOG!
Thank you J. Ringo - I appreciate your words and I'm happy my videos are okay. Hope you have a chance to try the Finnwolf - it really is something special. All the best.
My great uncle had a 99 in 243. I think it was my great grandfathers first because I have a picture of him, my grandfather, and another great uncle with two nice blacktail bucks and he is holding a 99. The car they had then had wooden spoked wheels. I inherited my grandfathers model 100 in .308 win. Every deer I have shot at with that rifle I've killed. It just don't miss He topped it with a Bousch and Lomb balvar with camed rings for sighting it in. Thanks for the video,
Hi Timothy! I like the car with the wooden spoked wheels. The .243 and the Savage 99 go well together - almost no recoil and sufficient power. I'm glad you mention the 100 - they are undervalued considering how excellent they are. Good hunting!
The wood on that Sako and Winchester are stunning to nice for a hunting rifes , Henry make this type of lever action rifle now in 223 ,243 and 308, thanks for the review atvb Steve
I'm on the list for a Henry. They'll sell containers of these if they shoot - which I'm sure they do. Just in time to hopefully declare the greatest current Made in USA modern lever action (as opposed to traditional - Model 94 / Marlin 336 etc...)
One of the finest hunting rifles ever made. I still consistently group silver dollars at 500 yards with this chambered in .308, even after decades of harvesting white tails from my family's property. It is by far my favorite thing left to me by my father.
Great rifle William and you likely have the most accurate one; I hope they make a limited edition run - which is a real possibility in 6.5 Creedmoor. We'll see. Thanks for writing.
Thank You for Always bringing such Fantastic Information on Firearms,you are a 'wealth of information I have grown to depend on! When the 88 was brought to market 1955-1968 the Wild West Everything became sought after that looked remotely Western...these just did Not fit with the those Times. If this came out in 1990's or 2000's you would have a much less fickled Market for them!
I found one of these a few years back , pre 1964, bluing shows very little use , muzzle still has bluing , low rounds through this one , also has leather sling , found a spare mag ( 308 ) it was a lot of money though , I got a good deal on this , looks to nice to take through the bush though
I'm a lefty. It was the only rifle worth considering if I wanted a .308 back in 1970. Great follow-up shots on running game without taking the rifle off my shoulder. It's a bit of a hard kicker. Would love to have one in .243 now. I was a young guy in 1970 and I thought the basket weave "checkering" looked great at the time.
Hi Tom - I like the .243 best as well - and you're right - hard to find. I've gone back and forth about that "checkering" - now I really like it again.
Thanks for sharing. I've always been a lever action rifle fan but was not familiar with the model 88. It's a beautiful rifle and is backed by an interesting design concept.
Love your videos! I bought a Finnwolf last summer. I'm swedish(close to Finland). Since Europeans doesn't like lever action rifles much they rarely charge much for them. I even got a shotgun for free if I took it. Love my Sako.
I had a Sako Finnwolf in .308 Win for about 30 years. I took an antelope, a mule deer and several elk with it. I stopped using it in the early 90s when I rebarreled a Ruger 77 to my personal specs. I kept it around for a left handed friend; besides, who could sell a Sako once you get your hands on one? They were great rifles, but way under appreciated. I sold it in a fit of poverty.
Thanks for the great video! I need one of those Finn Wolfs. Unobtainium for me probably though. I guess I'll have to settle for a Mad Trapper of Rat River special. The Savage model 99 in 30-30 Win. I've got a line on one for $500 obo right now.
My son has an 88 in 308 and my 88 is a 243. We live up here in Canada and hunt deer with them every fall. Absolutely love these rifles! Wouldn’t sell them for anything. They have been passed down from my father and grandfather. Who sold guns years ago in the 50’s and 60’s. And my grandfather knew a good gun when he saw it. Winchester was stupid to stop making them. Hasn’t been a good gun built since 1985! Years ago gun companies took pride in what they produced. Nowadays it’s just about the money. Like everything in this world. They don’t make men like my father or grandfather anymore either.
I just watched this video again because since I watched it the other day the 88 and the Sako have been on my mind. You are right not many of the Sako 63 out there but I was quite surprised to see quite a few 88s available most in excellent condition. It must be one of those guns that draws people that take care of there rifles. Unlike some rifles that tend to be abused. I found them to be very reasonable for what they are. I have always liked lever-action I grew up with a Marlin 39 Golden A and a 336 30-30 and they are great for what they are but I'm really looking for a rifle I can use from whitetail to moose that is why I like the 308. I watched several videos where people were shooting at or less than MOA which really got my attention because most lever-action are in the 3 MOA range. Both of these are close to the top of my list. The others are bolt action with 1 semiautomatic. For years I have loved the M1A and M1 garand. They have my all-time favorite sights. But spendy and complicated... But still totally awesome. Lol. I wish I could just buy all of them and shoot what ever I am in the mood for. Didn't mean to be so long winded . Thanks again Mike
I got my 88 in .308 44 years ago. Granny gave it to me when Grandpa died. It likes 180 grain and shoots M.O.A all day long. It's the only rifle I use for hunting and it brings me a lot of luck, maybe Gramps is helping with that.
I grew up hunting with the Win Model 88. In reviews you might be led to believe that the lever action is stiff and hard to operate. However, when hunting in the field I never found the lever action to be a detriment. I guess it's the adrenaline of the hunt that makes the action as smooth and fast as you could want. Once you're used to it that lever works more quickly than a bolt action for sure.
It appears that your friend did a great job making that 88 stock, that is the nicest 88 stock I have ever seen. Me and you think alike, I wrote a letter to Ruger a while back and asked if they would take on a reproduction of the Winchester 88 with slight improvements. This detailed letter I wrote to Ruger only fell on deaf ears with no reply. If Winchester would of had brought back their 1895 model in angle eject, red recoil pad, sling swivels and a nice long Streamline front sight it would of sold better. Its too bad these days that the big wigs of these firearms manufactures appear deaf and blind these days.
Thanks Jake - it really is a fine stock. As for the major manufacturers - I agree - they seem to follow their own path - probably directed by money more than anything else; which makes sense I guess : (
The issues with the M88 come from the location of the screw on the forend, as well as the difficulty in getting a clean trigger. The impressed checkering was a result of the pre/post '64 debacle. It wasn't necessarily the cause of the ending of production, but it didn't help.
I know where there is a mint "88" for sale as I type. However, as much as I love me some lever actions, I and apparently all other comers, have left the rifle on the rack due to it's $1400.00+ price tag. I think I'll continue to keep my eye out for a Savage 99 in .300 Savage, a "JM" stamped, pre-cross bolt safety Marlin in .45-70 or a Browning BLR in just about any caliber. The 88 is a beautiful rifle, as is the Sako, but damn! I like to eat too much to spend the kind of money people are asking for them when I only buy firearms I can hunt without fretting over scratching it and not just look at. Excellent video that I just stumbled upon today while looking for something else entirely.
Thanks for taking the time to write and I agree. The 88s in exc. condition are pricey. I do see the odd VG condition one around in the 5-700 range which is easier to accept. Still, I like the 99 and they are undervalued for now - and .300 Savage is so close to .308 - the deer won't notice. Glad you liked the video!
A near perfect combination. I consider the 358 the most under-appreciated cartridge. In the 88 - your uncle has a rare, valuable and extremely versatile rifle - but he knows that already I'm sure.
Yes,I like the 358 also but mine is a Browning BLR. I bought mine because my uncle had great success with his 358. My grandfather actually bought the rifle for my uncle brand new as a Christmas gift. He keeps telling me he wished he kept the original box but he didn't. The rifle is in great shape and has a beautiful stock. My grandfather was a big Winchester fan and had many model 70's and shotgun's and 22's. So I'm sure he picked out the one with the best grain of wood. I remember going groundhog hunting as a kid with my grandfather and his model 70 in 220 Swift. What a great rifle. My uncle has most of his rifles now.
Hi, from the UK, I think the company BC Miroku of Japan will match or better any body in quality,in the manufacture of lever action guns just as they do with their shotguns,and also at a better price like for like. Regards from a old limey b.
Hi Gerald, I agree - amazing quality. Speaking of quality, I'm going to film soon and the subject will be guns from the great, Great Britain. Superb guns - those "best guns" - from the land of those abiding peoples that brought us the Magna Carta - the foundation of freedom - and many other irreplaceable ideas and ways.
I have a pre 64 88 in .308 caliber. I know some have commented about heavy recoil, but I haven't noticed it. Now the .358, I'm sure that kicks like a mule.
I'm sure it's better than my new marlin 336xlr...i only put 200 rounds through it and the screws are all loose and backing out...the edges are not deburred...the linkage needed to be broken in...its the worst money i spent in recent time.
They'll improve them - just a quality control issue. The traditional levers are still in a class of their own - well made or not. I just bought a youth model 336 in 30-30. Handy and accurate. Some kind of plywood stocks but I learned to say "laminate" and things seem better now.
The screws should always be checked periodically for tightness. All three of my new Marlin lever guns are great. I still check the screws though. I've had them shoot loose on an old Marlin as well. Back em out a little bit and apply some loc-tite and problem should go away.
Model 88... how is the trigger? Also, was it ever made in .358 Winchester? Personally, I consider the Savage model 99 to be a modern lever action rifle, even though it was designed in the late 1800s.
The Finn Wolf was a bitch to put back together last time I tried. I do not really like center fire lever actions. But both these sure are classier than current rifles!
Great video. You like this better than a Savage 99? Interesting. I would like to pick one of these up for myself. Especially if I could make it look like yours...
Love my model 88 in .308. My grandpa gave it to me about 10 or so years ago and I have been killing deer with it ever since! Very accurate and pretty gun. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
You have one of those special grandpas; or maybe they all are but not every one gives an 88. : ) What a gift! Glad it continues to serve and thanks for the note confirming their excellence.
Hi USOG Really appreciate your comments on the VL 63 and the venerable model 88. I have a 58' in 243 with a really beat up stock. Based on your video and recs, i am having it stocked in Turkish walnut as well. The 358 has a good reputation as a woods or brush gun. What are your thoughts on the 284 Win? A caliber that never seemed to catch on. Would appreciate a video on the various 35 calibers. Keep them coming. Thanks again. All the best.
Hi George - Thank you. I like the .284 - I only have an 88 Carbine in .284 but I've owned other .284s. I guess there are other 7mms around that do the same or more - but I like the .284 still - something different I guess. I'll talk more about 35's. Your new stock will be something! Hope to see it somehow. All the best.
This is a bit off topic, but I'm curious to know why more modern lever-action rifles aren't being made with a hammerless design such as the Savage Model 99 or the Winchester Model 88, regardless of the type of fixed or detachable magazine used (tubular, box, rotary, etc.)?
Good question JP - no one seems to know. A few arms company higher ups tell me that the battle is between bolts and semis; with some vintage repros, pumps and singles and traditional levers and other "novelty" guns filling in the gaps. The hammerless levers are too close to bolt territory. This may change. I hope so. All the best.
You stated that the savage model 99 lever action serial number with the letter "C" indicates that the rifle has a clip. Well I have a model 99 with the letter "C" and it does not have a clip. I bought it used and it has a Remington .308 barrel . It functions and shoots good but I would like to know what the actual caliber is for this rifle. I have searched the web and several sites but to no avail as to the caliber, supposedly a 1975 year model but again the letter "C" indicates that it should be an earlier model. What do you think?
What killed the 88 here in NZ was that they would not hold a zero at all reliably...... Pity it never got fixed because the .284 version was wonderful. I think the zero drift was a matter of the stocking, but Winchester never seemed to have the incentive to solve it. I did hear some years ago that some had been re-stocked and that seemed to solve the issue. Back in the 60s the machinery wasn't as clever as what they have now, so perhaps it was not economically viable then.
Thanks for writing - I didn't know about the wandering zero - that is for sure no good. I must be lucky with mine - they seem to hold. Someone told me they are bringing back the 88 in some new form. I hear these things from time to time; sadly they don't always happen. All the best.
The only cheapening of the Model 88 I've seen in 1964 was doing away with the cut checkering and replacing it with that horrible impressed oak leaf "checkering." Perhaps the design of the gun itself just didn't lend itself to being cheapened. Either way it was a great rifle but the Sako does seem to be built better. Great video.
Production cost drives these decisions and as well as demand. These guns are expensive to make. As someone who worked in this industry (oem supplier of stocks) the stock inlet is great and easy to make. Well designed stock for production but that action is not easy to make. Also, in today's market bolt action rule (cheap ones at that).
Hi Justin, I'm sure you know a lot more than I do; maybe with modern machining and a public willing to pay higher prices for fine guns the 88 could be made again. 6.5 Creedmoor would be interesting. Maybe Miroku can make it. Thanks for writing.
The gun industry is in real choas right now. Too many AR on the market and no real demand for classic firearms. I would like to see several different old firearms come back, but the big companies are really not sure what is next for them. I have meet some of the miroku people, very good at what they do and could do it, but price point and demand would have to be there for FN to make it happen. Also, as a side the yen to Dollar is a killer for miruko. I don't hold my breath for new stuff to excite me, I watch the used market. One more thing, I have been to several shot shows in the last 7 years and nothing made in USA fit what I call the classis market. You have to look to Europe for that. I plan to go to IWA in 2019, you should try to get to that event in Germany. You will cry that these guns are not imported. Enjoy your content.
I'll try. I had two or three Hartmann & Weiss - superb rifles. I like the Heym products too and actually any of the kiplauf are worth buying. The Hubertus is something! I'll try to getting the show. I also believe that everything returns to the fundamental meaning of hunting and guns.
I hope we refind the classics of firearms and the deeper meaning of hunting, we will see. I left the industry two years ago and it killed me how cost to produce was the driving factor. I wanted to buy the new t-bolt but the whole trigger assumbly is plastic. I'll pay $5 more for metal. Have you seen the Haenel Jaeger 9? I just ordered one in .243. I think you would like it.
+Justin Schmidt Hi Justin, I had to look it up. The Haenel looks so fine; like hunting with a wand! I'll try to find in 6.5x55. Thanks for mentioning. Maybe we meet in Germany.
Just shot my grandfathers model 88 after being banged around in the safe for years and was clearly dropped and beat up by grandpa or dad before hand, I hit dead center on my first round at about 120 yards (No adjustments or anything)
Good day! Fine presentation sir. I just found a model 88 in 308. Great shooter, very accurate. It came with a damaged scope, I would really appreciate any opinion you might have to replace the scope with something that would complement the firearm.
Hello ZH - great rifle. I have such a boring answer. I have never wanted for a better scope than a Leupold VX II 2-7 - the scope simply does everything a scope ought to do and endures everything. I am not one to shoot at game 900 yards away, but I respect such people who do - I think the 88 with the Leupold can serve most people for a lifetime.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Excellent choice! I ordered it today. Thank you sir. Hoping the old scope base and rings may work. PS, I joined your Patreon today as well.
I'm being to think we share the same taste in shooting sticks, its an absolute injustice that the 88 isn't in production but the god awful BLR is. I don't think the checkering was the big issue with the stock, the excessive drop in the comb and rather thing profile was more of an issue. Then theres the trigger, but that could be made tolerable for hunting.
Had an 88, great gun and not finicky on the ammo at all. Just couldn't get used to the safety position since I grew up on Remington, Browning and Ithaca shotguns. It left the gun cabinet about 8 years ago.
A few people mentioned that safety position to me - glad you switched if uncomfortable. Safety should be in a natural place for the shooter just as you note.
USOG a Winchester 1895 would be another one. I’m a lever action man but I like lever guns with a vertical magazine so I can use ballistically superior cartridges.
I think unfortunately you're right. What is popular is pedestrian, whilst knockouts are overlooked. Modern mauser actions by CZ in their 550 American models gone, and last year their final product the 550 FS (mannlicher to some) gone as well. Their only mauser type action rifles left are micro's or African cartridges. Their last hold out the .300 WM UHR probably going soon. Enter the CZ 527 with pushfeed(which in itself nothing wrong) and plastic parts, small 20.5" bbl, not even 22", and they had a model with iron sights but apparently that wasn't too popular because it's been dropped too in favor of no sights. Didn't even know Sako made a lever actions, figures they don't make it anymore, it was probably too good. Winchester M70 might be next in favor of XPR. Ruger #1 are specialty items and might get priced out, quite frankly I see a dire picture unless one likes black rifles or AR's.
Hi Victor - there are people lined up looking for 88s in .243 - great that you have one of the most perfect combinations of rifle and cartridge ever made.
I just rewatched this "episode," and it's one of my favorites--even though I don't own a single lever-action rifle. Nor do I own a semi-automatic rifle, yet even 60 years ago, when I was a youngster, I fell hard for the Winchester 88s and 100s. My father was dead set against two-piece stocks, and that's probably where my affection for these two models originated. By the way (and this is NOT a criticism), you forgot to mention that BOTH of these fine rifles were available (at least for a while) in my beloved .358 Winchester. And today, being chambered in this caliber pushes the price of a used Model 88 from about $1,000 to at least $3,000! Speaking of the .358 Winchester, you and I corresponded quite a while ago about your devoting an episode of USOG to this seriously underrated caliber, which you and I both like. Did I miss that video?
I have a M88 in 308 it kicks like a mule but it's very accurate don't recommend it for a daily shooter but for the casual hunter a all around great firearm
Hi Stephanie, I missed the Henry lever actions so far : ( I have to find one or a couple. The .22 Henry I shot was very slick and accurate and the Long Ranger looks like a winner. Which model are you most interested in? Take care and good shooting.
USOG I have a Henry lever action in .22LR that I’ve had since my childhood that’s had many thousand rounds through it and is supremely accurate! Love that little gun. but I’m eyeing a steel 30-30 or a long Ranger in .308 Because of your very thoughtfully put together videos I acquired a pre 64 Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 and it’s fantastic. Hoping to take a deer with it this year and an elk with it next year
Good day Sir,, I have an opportunity for a Model 88 in .308 for a little north of $700. I think that may be a fair price. My question is where did you get you obtain your aftermarket stock? The pressed in checking on the factory stock gives it a less than appealing look. I would definately upgrade like you did. I looked a Sako Finn Wolf online but they are above $2k and one us .308 and one is .243. I already have a Sako Forester in .243 so at 3x the price, the Winchester Model 88 looks better plus it will fit in with all my other Winchesters. Thank you for the video and all the others, your efforts are very helpful. Sincerely, Rick Mansberger Redmond Sports Company Inc.
Hi Rick - My 88 was restocked by Martin Hagn from as blank; this is not the smart way to go which is why it is in my vault : ) - there are after market walnut stocks available but truly - as "not checkering" the impressed stuff is - I kind of like it and it does go with the rifle and its time. Just my opinion. Your Forester in .243 is superb and with the 88 - you have the bases covered. Thanks for the kind words and I'm glad my videos are helpful. All the best.
This may sound odd but I never paid any attention to this Winchester model 88. I must have been at the wrong place at the wrong time to never to see one. Now that I have I do not find it appealing to the eye..!
There all great but the Fin Wolf is truly exceptional. I'm sure that the famine wolf is also exceptionally accurate being a Sako. Are they all available in 308? I'm just thinking 308 would be perfect and one of those with some nice aperture sights and a long sight radius of about 28". 243 is also great. Thanks
