Videos of the above mentioned chains on a Stihl MS250. Cutting green maple, around 10 inch diameter. The results surprised me.
First, the 23 RS pro.
Next, the 3/8 LP narrow kerf full chisel.
Finally, a Husqvarna 50 with a 55 top end, 3/8 full chisel on 18 inch bar for comparison.
Sorry about the auto focus, the camera had some issues with the flying sawdust.
The 3/8 LP chain on the Stihl was considerably slower, it was grabby and dropped the rpm noticeably more than the .325.
Times as best I could measure.
.325- 6.5 (dry first cut), 6.1, 5.5.
3/8 lp- 7.2, 7.6, 7.6, 7.2
3/8 Husqvarna- 5.6, 5.8, 6.0
The 2 best times brought the Stihl with the .325 and the Husqvarna within .2 seconds of each other. The 23 RS pro is smooth, cuts fast, and seems to be holding an edge well so far. All chains were of equal sharpness. The shape of the cutters on the .325 and 3/8 LP were identical as far as I could see.
So, if you have a saw set up for .325, you might want to try a full chisel narrow kerf chain like the Stihl before you decide to change to 3/8.
First, the 23 RS pro.
Next, the 3/8 LP narrow kerf full chisel.
Finally, a Husqvarna 50 with a 55 top end, 3/8 full chisel on 18 inch bar for comparison.
Sorry about the auto focus, the camera had some issues with the flying sawdust.
The 3/8 LP chain on the Stihl was considerably slower, it was grabby and dropped the rpm noticeably more than the .325.
Times as best I could measure.
.325- 6.5 (dry first cut), 6.1, 5.5.
3/8 lp- 7.2, 7.6, 7.6, 7.2
3/8 Husqvarna- 5.6, 5.8, 6.0
The 2 best times brought the Stihl with the .325 and the Husqvarna within .2 seconds of each other. The 23 RS pro is smooth, cuts fast, and seems to be holding an edge well so far. All chains were of equal sharpness. The shape of the cutters on the .325 and 3/8 LP were identical as far as I could see.
So, if you have a saw set up for .325, you might want to try a full chisel narrow kerf chain like the Stihl before you decide to change to 3/8.