All Tree NW
ArboristSite Lurker
On a 046, 460 whatever... 3/8 is cheaper, has a narrower kerf which makes it easier to pull for the smaller saws. Even though all my saws are ported and double dumped, I'd still never run .404 on my 46. The rigidity which you are looking for in the bars is an easy answer. It simply depends on what gauge of chain you are running not pitch. If you are running 3/8 .063 gauge chain, the bar is the same thickness as a .404 .063 gauge bar. you can swap bar tips with different pitches and run different pitch chain on the same gauge bar, with the corresponding pitch drive sprocket. so you won't gain any rigidity there. it would be a different story if you were running something like .050 gauge chain. i don't know what you're running, but i'd say go for the 3/8 pitch chain .063 gauge on a 046. I still run 3/8 pitch .063 on my hopped up 660 on bars ranging from 36" to 42". that being said on any larger saws say 075, 880, 084, 090, 3120, sp125, etc, most of those saws come stock with .404 pitch sprockets and bars and chains. i haven't even looked for 3/8 pitch sprockets and bars for any of those larger saws. i wouldn't say it was really all that wise to run 3/8 pitch chain on these larger displacement saws just because they could rip the smaller chain apart. the heavier chassis of the .404 chain will stand up to big torque.
