Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Chainsaws - help me pick a pro level firewood saw

I’ve got a 30yr old 20” Stihl 028 Super that I’ve enjoyed immensely but she’s getting tired. Looking for a one time purchase of a new saw to take me 30 more years. Price is no object.

We typically cut hardwoods here with diameters to 24” but many under 18” Lots of Ash, Oak & Maple.

We don’t get into the softwood game at all so a bar longer than 24” isn’t attractive.

I could love an 18” bar with a very high power to weight ratio - at least 3.0ci & am looking into the 3.5ci saws with a shorter bar.

I’m not into marginal quality so, for me, the Home Depot stuff is out.

Thanks & Fire away!

Stihl is hard to top

Stihl MS261. Done.

Seems like an easy choice- go to your Stihl dealer and pick your new saw. I have a Stihl MS310 with the 20" bar that I use around my place. It never disappoints.

Some fellas like Husqvarna's but I prefer the torque of the Stihl.

I've been window shopping myself. Sorta settled on a Stihl 462 with a 25 inch bar. Longer the bar, less I need to bend over for trimming branches etc when the tree's down.

Toss up: Stihl or Husky

A Stihl MS 271 FARM BOSS or larger. The Stihl Pro saws are a pleasure to use with a full chain.

Another vote for Stihl, but stay away from the C-M series saws as they have a reliability problem.

I’ll second the ms261. Love mine with 18”bar

I have use only Stihl chainsaws for over 20 years. This year I bought a new Stihl MS 261 with an 18” bar to cut firewood and trees around the house. Really like the weight and power it has compared to my old farm boss and 024 saws I have.

Specifications
POWER SOURCE Gas
POWERHEAD WEIGHT 10.8 lbs.
GUIDE BAR LENGTH (Recommended) 18 in.
OILOMATIC® CHAIN .325" RM3
CHAIN OIL CAPACITY 9.13 oz.
ENGINE POWER 4.0 bhp
FUEL CAPACITY 16.9 oz.
DISPLACEMENT 50.2 cc

I have a 24" and a 20" Husky...

I like the 20" much better for just general cutting. But when I have to tackle the big stuff, that 24" with a full chisel, skip tooth chain cuts like a beast.

For a Stihl pro level saw - leaves you with:

261 - 50cc 4hp
362 - 59cc 4.6hp
500I - 72 cc 6.7hp and electronic fuel injected, if the m-tronic scares someone, EFI likely does too
880 Magnum - 122cc 8.6hp

Of those - I'd guess 362 meets his criteria the best.

Stihl MS261 or MS261 C-M

I haven't settled on it - was just my thinking on 25 inch bar which is the recommended length Stihl has on the 462

Dad was a Stihl guy, lots of friends are Stihl guys and IIRC Stick - Husky (love him or hate him, he cut a lot of wood). Recently it seems like the Stihl is the better choice than Husky on new saws - dunno how true and doubt you can go wrong betwixt the 2.

Purchased my Stihl MS361 new twelve years ago after 10 years with an 024AV that I bought used.
I heat soleley with wood, cutting 10-15 full cord a year and that saw has been a gem. It's power to weight ratio with a 20" bar makes it the ideal saw for my (and likely yours) use. It does everything from large trunks to limbing. Yesterday I cut a 34" walnut with ease. It has started easily every time and never failed me.
I'm a big DIY guy, but my saws go to the dealer for a tune up every couple years. It gets Stihl 2 stroke oil, non-ethanol gas, Stihl bars, chains (green) and sprockets, bar oil comes from TSC. The spark plug gets replaced with OEM every year. Bought a case for it when new and when not in use it's in it.
When I got it, it was a major purchase with a lot of thought put into it. Still grin every time I start it and I'd get a 362 in a heartbeat if need be.


The old 024 gets to come out and play once in a while, still running and cutting like a champ.

What does your local dealer sell? I am not a fan on Husky or Stihl and would go with an Echo. They make some really nice "pro" saws that your average consumer overlooks. Your other option is to go yellow.....Sp-60/70/80/81 or PM 800/805

Cut w a 362 Shtil for years, wanted something bigger. Went w the 462 and a 20” bar. Look out this saw is an animal. Been cutting with it now for 2 years, very happy.

I'm in your neck of the woods. Husky or Stihl pro level is the way to go. I use a husky xp372 and xp550. If I were buying today, maybe Stihl?

Stihl 362. Pro level saw that will last forever. I just bought the 500 running a 32” bar. Saw number 8 for me. Impressed so far with the fuel injection but may be a tad big for most use.

Those using Stihl - what has your street price been? Just curious as to the difference between what the shop charges and MSRP on Stihl's site. If a guy should expect to pay full MSRP or not.