RM Stihl .325 non safety is all I run. I never know what I'll be cutting and holds an edge pretty good. That plus my dealer does buy 2 get 1 free so 3 chains are around $50.
Your chain of choice on a 50 cc saw?
- Thread starter Pioneer
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I'm running .325/.050 16" on my 346xp. Oregon "Speedcut" bar and 95TXL chain. Pretty sure it is a narrow kerf chain. Really smooth cutting and stays sharp longer than LGX I run on all my other saws. Cuts darn near as fast too.
Smacktooth
ArboristSite Member
yeah I’ve also found the 95 txl to stay sharp a long time. I found tough to sharpen initially,but then subsequent sharpens have been easier
My only 50cc is the Jonsereds 49SP. Came with 325 on it, I swapped to 3/8 many years ago. Don't remember why, but for a slower "grunt" saw the 3/8 with a 16" bar has worked well for me. Guess I've never warmed up to 325, thinking hard about swapping my MS250 over to 3/8 LP.
For some reason I can't seem to sharpen 325 as well as 3/8 or 3/8 LP.
For some reason I can't seem to sharpen 325 as well as 3/8 or 3/8 LP.
D
Deleted member 117362
Guest
I prefer razor sharp chains.
I'm not quite sure what that means to the discussion?
D
Deleted member 117362
Guest
My point is this, have run .325, 3/8, semi chisel, full chisel, narrow kerf. Cutting firewood, limbs, bucking logs, timed cuts square ground vs round ground and chain sharpness was biggest factor for cutting speed.
OK, now understand and agree completely.
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
I’m no expert on 325 but I must say that the 325 20” I used on the 261 today was smooth compared to 3/8, especially on limbs and cut as fast as 3/8 16”, if not faster. I cut at least 150 5” trees today and limbed at least another 100 with no chain toss.
Time will tell how durable 325 is compared to 3/8.
D
Deleted member 117362
Guest
I do like that sp33 x-cut .325/50ga on my 550xp.
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
I am really impressed with the Stihl 325 chain as well as the USA bar made with domestic and foreign components. There was no discernible loss of tolerance between bar and chain after 6 tanks.
The Donald must be making American bars great again.
The Donald must be making American bars great again.
SuperDuty04
ArboristSite Guru
What would a 261cm be like with an 8 pin and 16" chain? After I muf modded it, it's got gobs of power but who don't like speed demons!?
I absolutely love this saw with an 18" bar but just wondering jf I'd love it even more with a 16".
I absolutely love this saw with an 18" bar but just wondering jf I'd love it even more with a 16".
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
I’m sure that would be a winning combo, but you may experience more chain derailments with the larger sprocket, but this can be circumvented by grinding the tail of the bar to conform to the profile of the larger sprocket.
I agree. I might try .325 full chisel on mine down the road just to satisfy my curiosity.
hseII
Addicted to ArboristSite
We run 81 drive link/20” .325”, 0.063” B&C on our MS261CMs.
Mine is Ported & Cousin’s is bone stock: they balance well & gives a bit extra reach when limbing.
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Ryan'smilling
Addicted to ArboristSite
If you're talking about .325, give it a shot. If you mean 3/8, save your money.
Smacktooth
ArboristSite Member
. I’ve actually got an 8 pin on the way to try out on my 545 with 16” .325 NK B&C I already have on it. With the outboard clutch not something one I would be switching often but for $8 I figured why not give it a try.
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
Does anyone know the model number for Stihl’s best 325 chain equivalent in Laser?
outdoortype
ArboristSite Guru
Sunfish is correct. I recently tried 20bpx semi chisel on a 545 mark II and compared it to my 346xp 50 cc running 20lpx. They were so close in cutting speed but the bpx semi-chisel didn't need sharpening as much. I mean I took like 2 strokes per tooth after 3 tanks. On chisel I would normally have to touch up every tank. I will probably get flamed for this, but I don't see what the big deal with 3/8 is. I've used both .325 and 3/8 full chisel on 2 359's 60ccc the last 5 years and don't see an advantage of 3/8 being faster or more durable in the dead oak I cut. They both need sharpening often for firewood cutting. The main difference I noticed is 3/8's has a much larger difference in cutting speed going from round chisel to semi chisel (LG vs DP). Yes there are more cutters to sharpen and depth gauges to file with .325.
Often its claimed a 50cc saw may not handle full size cutters well but when you compare the .325 & 3/8 in your hand and on a bar the .325 has quite a few more cutters per foot & cutter size is very similar. For me going from .325 full comp to 3/8 f/c I notice the 3/8 chain keeps the saw higher in rpm kinda like skip chain does.
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