I also find that a ripping chain only lasts about 3 tankfuls in my 396XP before I notice it starts to get slower. BUT, I do find that just like my little Ripsaw bandmill, if I'm milling pure wooden cants where I'm not going through lots of bark, it does last longer. I usually take three sharpened milling chains with me, as I don't like to burn daylight sharpening in the woods on a stump or back of truck, and swap them out as needed even though it's more of a pain on a csm 'cause you have to take the saw out of the mill. I prefer sharpening in my shop, in a vise, taking my time. I actually carry 3 chains in my toolbox for all my saws when I go out, and just change chain. I only sharpen in the woods when I run out of other options.