88s in .358 are beyond "shooter" valuations, sure. For most, the same gun in .308 is a much smarter choice.......well, if you can stand that awful trigger. Then, .358 WCF has redeeming value as a very useful hunting round that could handle about any hunting situation in thick covers. That might justify the stretch for someone who has mixed collector/hunter interests.
"Makes no sense" better applies to valuations on things like a Winchester M-64 in .219 Zipper, a Ruger .256 Win Hawkeye, or the Gyrojet.
For most applications .308 would be better choice. By the way not all 88 are the same even if in the same caliber. Close examination of #4545 revealed that barrel is same profile as .30 cal Featherweight pre-64 Model 70 making early vintage 88s very light. My fav. would be early 70s carbine with un-checkered stock and shorter barrel of thicker profile.
