husky 288 vs stihl 461 Please read.

[weedkilla]

Like others have mentioned - I'd be inclined to use what you have.
After a while you may realise that what you need is a different class of saw. It wouldn't surprise me if a modern 50 or 60cc saw is a perfect compliment to the 288. Doing 90% of your work with a smaller saw saves a lot of stress on the body.

 

[dogfather]

I always use the "shortest arrow in the quiver" to get the job done. For really small limbing work I use my Dolmar-102...working my way progressively through mu Husky arsenal: 154, 236,266. Getting older every day. But, I must say that the "old" pre-EPA saws stay true to their tuning more so than those that are "green". FWIW: I think my elected State governor wants us all to die green and broke...after he's taxed us to near death. He's a half-step away fromhis cousin zero-Bama--the man you all elected (maybe by default by not going to the polls?).