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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Looking for a new chain saw.
#8971280
12/11/23 06:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253
huntindude
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253 |
Been using the stihl ms 250 for 17 years. Its been a great tool. About wore it out. Im looking for something with more power and 20" bar. Price range of $600-$800. I want to keep using stihl. So far a 261 c-m with 20" bar is on my radar.
Thanks
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971297
12/11/23 07:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,802
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,802 |
Husqvarna users here but the 261 cm looks like a good model..
One of our Husq has the ability to compensate itself in varying elevations and that is nice for us. We can haul it down to Texas for firewood without having to adjust the carb ourselves, the machine does it.
Longer bar would be my recc. but for many that length is fine.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971341
12/11/23 08:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 161
OddJob94
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 161 |
Echo CS-590 Timberwolf.
I've had one for 10 years now, using anywhere from 18"-24" bars. Has never failed to do the job I've asked.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: OddJob94]
#8971359
12/11/23 09:33 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,898
topwater13
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,898 |
Echo CS-590 Timberwolf.
I've had one for 10 years now, using anywhere from 18"-24" bars. Has never failed to do the job I've asked. This is a great option and price for a split cased saw. While a little heavy, it has great power and starts easier than my stihl saws.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971383
12/11/23 10:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,743
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,743 |
I have a MS251C with an 18” bar. It’s the EZ start model. Really nice saw. A lot lighter than my 029 Farm Boss. The saw you have picked out ought to do anything and everything mine does, and better.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971387
12/11/23 10:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,357
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,357 |
No more Stihls for me. About 10 or so years ago I bought a new one. They had changed from screw on caps to snap in caps for oil and fuel.They wouldn’t stay closed. I sent it to Stihl but they said I must have damaged it. I found that it was a common problem. It was my third and last Stihl.
I now use Echo.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971392
12/11/23 10:35 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,743
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,743 |
I had to fiddle with those new caps for a bit, but once I figured them out it was a snap. I like them.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971398
12/11/23 10:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,357
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,357 |
Neither I nor the repair guy could figure mine out.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971428
12/11/23 11:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,210
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,210 |
Stihl MS-362
Absolute HOSS!
Rated for a 24" bar and I have a 20" bar on mine. A new chain on it and it will scare you.
Very common on fire engines and fire trucks for cutting roofs open, as well.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.precisionriflehunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/garvey.jpg) 800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#8971431
12/11/23 11:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,210
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,210 |
Neither I nor the repair guy could figure mine out. The moving part of the cap has to be extended. The cap is keyed with two large tabs and one small tab. Get all that situated correctly and they work just fine.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971485
12/12/23 01:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
grout-scout
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693 |
I’ve been running a 261 for several years now. It’s definitely a lot stronger than my previous 250, that I had. It’s also a loud screamer, I wear ear muffs when using it.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971582
12/12/23 04:59 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,907
luv2brode
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,907 |
I have an echo with 20 inch bar and a polaun 18 inch that was given to me by a friend, this thing is at least 10 years old. both of those are hours away was presented a opportunity to purchase another saw
I looked again at stihl and husky I bought another poulan w 18 inch bar and have been using it to clear pines off a half acre felling limbing and bucking. It’s been a journey but 4 trees to go
All depends on what ya are doing w it.
i am cancelling my subscription, i am tired of your issues!
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971586
12/12/23 05:35 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929
Ol Thumper
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929 |
We currently run over 30 saws daily of Stihl’s, Echo’s and Husky’s and I have to deal with all of them on a daily basis and in my humble opinion id say stick to a Stihl for one reason only and that’s parts availability. You can buy parts for them pretty much anywhere at any time and the other 2 brands are a PITA to deal with when it comes to parts. I currently have at least 15 saws in my shop now waiting on parts and only 2 of them are Stihls since those parts are normally available locally. Once the others wear out I won’t be buying them any longer.
I know most people don’t use saws like we do but the Echo’s chain adjusters are complete trash and the Husky’s are a full time job keeping them running while the Stihl’s can be beat to death, ran over and continue to run. My favorite is the MS 261 CM for what that’s worth unless your into big wood and then it’s the 462,
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8971609
12/12/23 12:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,947
GasGuzzler
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,947 |
I use mine twice per year at most so it's not beat on. I bought an Echo because it's 94% of a Stihl at 70% of the cost. If I beat on mine like some others, I would have bought a Stihl and never considered a Husq.
Pass the gravy.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: J.G.]
#8971638
12/12/23 02:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,661
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,661 |
Stihl MS-362
Absolute HOSS!
Rated for a 24" bar and I have a 20" bar on mine. A new chain on it and it will scare you.
Very common on fire engines and fire trucks for cutting roofs open, as well. Did a bunch of work this weekend with mine. It's on the heavy side, but MAN, the performance is no joke. I put a new blade on it yesterday and it went through some 10-12" pecan limbs like they weren't there, and a bunch of cedar as well.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.katiecortese.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/texas-tech-logo-2-150x150.jpg) https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#8971712
12/12/23 03:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,931
#Hayraker
Chihuahua
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Chihuahua
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,931 |
Stihl MS-362
Absolute HOSS!
Rated for a 24" bar and I have a 20" bar on mine. A new chain on it and it will scare you.
Very common on fire engines and fire trucks for cutting roofs open, as well. Did a bunch of work this weekend with mine. It's on the heavy side, but MAN, the performance is no joke. I put a new blade on it yesterday and it went through some 10-12" pecan limbs like they weren't there, and a bunch of cedar as well. chainsaws don't have blades. Bars and chains.
#sigline
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: #Hayraker]
#8971759
12/12/23 04:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,661
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,661 |
Stihl MS-362
Absolute HOSS!
Rated for a 24" bar and I have a 20" bar on mine. A new chain on it and it will scare you.
Very common on fire engines and fire trucks for cutting roofs open, as well. Did a bunch of work this weekend with mine. It's on the heavy side, but MAN, the performance is no joke. I put a new blade on it yesterday and it went through some 10-12" pecan limbs like they weren't there, and a bunch of cedar as well. chainsaws don't have blades. Bars and chains. Lack of coffee, most likely, plus the cumulative effects of three long days on the fenceline.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: Ol Thumper]
#8971934
12/12/23 11:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253
huntindude
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253 |
thumper, what do you know about the 311 with 20" bar?
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8972050
12/13/23 05:26 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929
Ol Thumper
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929 |
thumper, what do you know about the 311 with 20" bar? Outstanding saw, we’ve got at least a dozen of them running a 20” bar and outside of normal wear and tear id say they’re probably the most dependable saw we use. We’ve got saws up to an 880 and when it comes to taking down the biggest of the big trees my go to guys for these jobs prefer the 311 more times than not, it makes me super nervous at times but they do it all day every day and I let them decide on what they want to use.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: Ol Thumper]
#8972052
12/13/23 06:27 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,300
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,300 |
We currently run over 30 saws daily of Stihl’s, Echo’s and Husky’s and I have to deal with all of them on a daily basis and in my humble opinion id say stick to a Stihl for one reason only and that’s parts availability. You can buy parts for them pretty much anywhere at any time and the other 2 brands are a PITA to deal with when it comes to parts. I currently have at least 15 saws in my shop now waiting on parts and only 2 of them are Stihls since those parts are normally available locally. Once the others wear out I won’t be buying them any longer.
I know most people don’t use saws like we do but the Echo’s chain adjusters are complete trash and the Husky’s are a full time job keeping them running while the Stihl’s can be beat to death, ran over and continue to run. My favorite is the MS 261 CM for what that’s worth unless your into big wood and then it’s the 462,
This is from someone who commercially uses them so I would listen to him.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#8972101
12/13/23 01:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,743
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,743 |
Yup! I think Ol Thumper’s opinion/experience on this subject is the best real world info I’ve seen.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8972167
12/13/23 03:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,028
huck18
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,028 |
Can't go wrong the MS 261. I have the non CM version as I wanted to be able to make adjustments myself and not have to worry about computer crap.
Awesome all around saw that can run anything from a 16" bar up to 20"+.
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Re: Looking for a new chain saw.
[Re: huntindude]
#8981120
01/02/24 03:20 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253
huntindude
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253 |
thanks for all the help guys. Santa brought me stihl 261 c-m for Christmas. Its a awesome saw.
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