Modernization of a Win 88

[TradLife406]

Dad gave me his old 88 308. It's a really cool gun. It's something that won't ever be sold. I don't want to leave it as a safe queen. But it's not threaded. Not sure it can be threaded because it has a front sight.

Would like to entertain the idea of getting a new steel barrel. 18-20" with threads. Then send it off to be bedded.

Nothing too crazy but just a couple things to make it funner to shoot. I have zero desire to shoot it unsuppressed. That gun is definitely a reason I can't hear today. Then it'd be fun to do load dev for it.

Anyone ever done this? What smith did you use?

It'd also be fun limiting myself by going to a 308 vs the 6 UM or 22 Creed.

 

[Chris in TN]

Tagged.

 

[onlybrowning]

Model 88's are cool. I'd be willing to bet any smith that would do a good job threading the factory barrel would also be able to move the sight back. From a quick search, it looks like the front sight sits in a dovetail, which is something a smith should be able to handle no problem.

 

[TaperPin]

Cool rifles. I always enjoy the well done overviews on old rifles given by BTORange.

 

[letrbuck]

Do you want to retain the iron sights? Or do you plan to shoot it with an optic?

The sights can certainly be moved by any competent gunsmith after they cut back the barrel and thread it for a suppressor

Be neat to set the front sight back behind the muzzle enough to thread on a reflex can

 

[Scoutfan]

Personally I would change the barrel so that it could be returned to original form in the future if ever desired. Great rifle and cartridge.

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

Personally I would change the barrel so that it could be returned to original form in the future if ever desired. Great rifle and cartridge.

This is about the only logical thing to do in order to keep the value. Tagging for more info since I'll be in the same boat in the near future.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Personally I would change the barrel so that it could be returned to original form in the future if ever desired. Great rifle and cartridge.

I agree with this. My Winchester 1886 has a very old aftermarket .45-70 barrel on it and the original .33 Winchester barrel. Someone long before me saw the wisdom in rebarreling it to the more desirable cartridge, while retaining the original barrel. I’ve thought quite a bit about getting another new barrel that is threaded and continuing to use it for years to come.

 

[SDHNTR]

DO NOT MESS WITH IT!

 

[Wrench]

I was just pouring through my tenon prints to see if I had one for the 88. Those are valuable and desired rifles. A new tube can be spun up for it......or find a takeoff and hack that one.

 

[Castle Rock]

Please don’t ruin the original barrel

 

[elkivory]

I have a model 88 in 308 and it's semi auto cousin model 100 in 308. My first rifle was a model 88 in 243. This was 1959 and I was 13 years old. I later bought one in 284 winchester. I sold both of my originals many years ago. For me, the biggest problem with these guns are the triggers. Mine measures consistently over 6 lbs. According to my research not much can be done to improve the trigger. I love these guns. I killed many whitetails with mine.

 

[eLightfoot]

I killed my first big game animals with my uncles pre 64 model 88 in 243. I’ve wanted one ever since.
Keep the original barrel intact. Have a smith fit it with a new blank. A 6gt would probably fit the mag perfectly with modern bulllets. The holy grail would be finding a Sako VL63, I’ve been looking with no luck.

 

[DoubleDown]

Dad gave me his old 88 308. It's a really cool gun. It's something that won't ever be sold. I don't want to leave it as a safe queen. But it's not threaded. Not sure it can be threaded because it has a front sight.

Would like to entertain the idea of getting a new steel barrel. 18-20" with threads. Then send it off to be bedded.

Nothing too crazy but just a couple things to make it funner to shoot. I have zero desire to shoot it unsuppressed. That gun is definitely a reason I can't hear today. Then it'd be fun to do load dev for it.

Anyone ever done this? What smith did you use?

It'd also be fun limiting myself by going to a 308 vs the 6 UM or 22 Creed.

Try turnbullrestoration.com

 

[Coldtrail]

I vote don't mess with it, they were designed as a saddle gun offered in flatter calibers than the other lever guns of the era and although you can put optics on them, the angle is odd for the shooter and keeps you from getting a good cheek weld. They were designed for irons or a peep sight and shoved in a scabbard. As someone said, the triggers are heavy and not much can be done with them. I say put a vintage peep and armored front and enjoy it for what it was meant to be & use it for the occasional "tribute hunt" to remember your dad and go back in time. They are neat old guns but high tech shooters they are not. I have one in .308 with a redfield peep that does everything I ask it to do, was given to me by my old hunting partner before he passed away.