About a year ago I procrastinated on purchasing an 88 in .308 with a 3 digit serial made in the first year of manufacturing which had come out of a collection and was as close to mint as you could ever imagine. The dealer wanted $650.00 Cdn, (which is about $50.00 U.S. ). While I'm saying to myself "should or shouldn't I?" another guy came along and had the cash out of his pocket as quick as a flash. I still have bad dreams about missing that opportunity. Ordinarily I would have been quicker on the draw but I had recently bought a couple of rifles and my Swiss bank account was a little low. I've talked to the same dealer since and he tells me he still has an 88 in .284 and a 100 in .284 from the same collection but not interested in selling at this time. He says he'll keep me in mind?? gg.

.358:
You are interested in Model 88s'. Good gun for deer and elk.

My Dad and I went to the sportings goods store together in '61 and we each bought one brand new. My son now has Dad's '88. Another of my boys bought a used '88, which was made in 1960. All three guns shoot about the same, good on both factory and handloads.

I will include a pic showing the results of 100 yd "sight-in" w/sandbag rests. One group (3 shots) by son Danny, one group (3 shots) by son Reid. Two boys, two rifles, two different powders, same bullets, same brand scopes. These are not "match" grade groups, but good enough for hunting.

I understand from a couple of Gunsmiths that the Model 88 lever is quite strong for a lever, having a rotating bolt lug that approaches the strength of a simple bolt action. That info encouraged me to try handloading for the '88' and have found that some pretty decent groups can be obtained.

Good luck