Wincherster 88: .243 or .308

muleshoe · March 16, 2000, 09:08 AM

I'd like to know if one is more desirable, the .243 or the .308. I realize that this is a matter of personal choice, but if both guns are in identical condition, is one more valuable than the other?

Ummm, it is a Winchester, not Wincherster. Ooops.

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bullet placement is gun control

[This message has been edited by muleshoe (edited March 16, 2000).]

James K · March 16, 2000, 02:01 PM

Hi, Muleshoe,

The 88 is basically a hunting rifle and the caliber should be suited to the game. As for values, the books show the .243 going about $50-100 more than the .308 in similar condition. .358 and .284 are worth more.

The pre-64s bring a premium and carbines run more than rifles. The 88 does not have much collector interest, and never really caught on, with production of about 284,000.

Top prices are $600 for .308 pre-64 and $700 for the .243. For the post-64, the figures are $500 and $550. Carbines bring $700 for each caliber. Those are 100% or NIB retail prices.

Jim

muleshoe · March 16, 2000, 08:25 PM

Thanks Jim, that's very helpful info. I do have one in a .243 that I'm thinking about selling. I just don't use it, thought it can finance something that I will shoot. I'd estimate the condition to be 80%-85%, manufactured in 1957.

It has an older(approx. 30 year old) B&L 2.5x8 scope on it, I've never seen another like it. Maybe you can help me with it also. It has no internal elevation and windage adjustments. The adjustment screws are on the mount. Actually it's kinda cool looking. I would think that a scope with fewer moving parts would be more sturdy. Do you know anything of this scope? Good, bad, ugly?

I was hoping to get about $550 for this rifle and scope. Is this a reasonable expectation? Thanks again....

Oh yeah, if it were a Wincherster would that increase the value?

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bullet placement is gun control

[This message has been edited by muleshoe (edited March 16, 2000).]

James K · March 17, 2000, 01:30 AM

Winchersters are pretty rare and bring big bucks, but only if marked that way at the factory.

Seriously, the B&L scopes were excellent and were sturdier for the reason you say. At the time, they were top of the line. But today, no one wants them and today's scopes have better optics. Scopes don't add much to the value of a sporting rifle, and are hard to sell separately. This has always seemed odd to me, as scopes aren't worn out by looking through them and any damage is readily apparent, unlike rifles.

If you really want to sell the gun, your price is on the high side by about $100, but you can come down if you get someone who wants it. I think it is going to be hard finding that someone. If you are in deer country, wait until fall and try a newspaper ad.

Like I said, they never really caught on, not having the traditional lever gun look, and they have little collector value. The folks who do use them like them, though.

Jim

muleshoe · March 17, 2000, 08:14 AM

Thanks again, Jim.

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bullet placement is gun control

March 16, 2000, 09:08 AM	#1
muleshoe Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Mills County, IA Posts: 410	I'd like to know if one is more desirable, the .243 or the .308. I realize that this is a matter of personal choice, but if both guns are in identical condition, is one more valuable than the other? Ummm, it is a Winchester, not Wincherster. Ooops. ------------------ bullet placement is gun control [This message has been edited by muleshoe (edited March 16, 2000).]

March 16, 2000, 02:01 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, Muleshoe, The 88 is basically a hunting rifle and the caliber should be suited to the game. As for values, the books show the .243 going about $50-100 more than the .308 in similar condition. .358 and .284 are worth more. The pre-64s bring a premium and carbines run more than rifles. The 88 does not have much collector interest, and never really caught on, with production of about 284,000. Top prices are $600 for .308 pre-64 and $700 for the .243. For the post-64, the figures are $500 and $550. Carbines bring $700 for each caliber. Those are 100% or NIB retail prices. Jim

March 16, 2000, 08:25 PM	#3
muleshoe Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Mills County, IA Posts: 410	Thanks Jim, that's very helpful info. I do have one in a .243 that I'm thinking about selling. I just don't use it, thought it can finance something that I will shoot. I'd estimate the condition to be 80%-85%, manufactured in 1957. It has an older(approx. 30 year old) B&L 2.5x8 scope on it, I've never seen another like it. Maybe you can help me with it also. It has no internal elevation and windage adjustments. The adjustment screws are on the mount. Actually it's kinda cool looking. I would think that a scope with fewer moving parts would be more sturdy. Do you know anything of this scope? Good, bad, ugly? I was hoping to get about $550 for this rifle and scope. Is this a reasonable expectation? Thanks again.... Oh yeah, if it were a Wincherster would that increase the value? ------------------ bullet placement is gun control [This message has been edited by muleshoe (edited March 16, 2000).]

March 17, 2000, 01:30 AM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Winchersters are pretty rare and bring big bucks, but only if marked that way at the factory. Seriously, the B&L scopes were excellent and were sturdier for the reason you say. At the time, they were top of the line. But today, no one wants them and today's scopes have better optics. Scopes don't add much to the value of a sporting rifle, and are hard to sell separately. This has always seemed odd to me, as scopes aren't worn out by looking through them and any damage is readily apparent, unlike rifles. If you really want to sell the gun, your price is on the high side by about $100, but you can come down if you get someone who wants it. I think it is going to be hard finding that someone. If you are in deer country, wait until fall and try a newspaper ad. Like I said, they never really caught on, not having the traditional lever gun look, and they have little collector value. The folks who do use them like them, though. Jim

March 17, 2000, 08:14 AM	#5
muleshoe Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Mills County, IA Posts: 410	Thanks again, Jim. ------------------ bullet placement is gun control