Author Topic: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?  (Read 972 times)

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Offline Gregsl

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Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« on: December 10, 2013, 12:57:52 pm »
Hi, I'm having a hard time figuring out what chain to use with my saw.

It's an ms 260 with a 16 inch .325 pitch .050 67 drive link bar.

I'm mostly a multi-weekend warrior cutting clean hardwood for firewood.

What would you reccomend?

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Offline Cut4fun

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2013, 01:32:03 pm »
clean hardwood RSC or RMC

Offline Philbert

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2013, 02:36:53 pm »
Pretty much up to you.  Are you a guy who 'maintains' a sharp edge, or runs them until they are dull?  Performance or durability minded.  Trying to buy locally or from a catalog?  Brand loyal or open minded.

The MS260 is a great 'all-around' saw which cuts well with .325 chain.  But you don't have to commit to one chain.

If you are really  uncertain, buy a few different types of chains: get a full-chisel chain and a semi-chisel chain; try a STIHL, and an Oregon or Carlton/Woodland Pro.  Try them side-by-side and see which works best for you, which cuts fastest, which sharpens easier, which lasts the longest, etc.  Also compare price to determine which is a better 'value' for you.

It's always good to have a back up chain (or two).  You might find that you are happy with many different chains, or that you like certain chains for certain conditions (e.g hardwoods/softwoods, frozen wood, limbing versus bucking, etc.).  If you are mostly bucking and limbing with a 16 inch bar, do not be afraid of 'reduced kick-back' chains, if they have the bumpers on the drive links (instead of on the tie straps).  These are mostly an issue with bore cutting and longer bars.

I'm kind of an open minded guy, and will try any chain as long as it is sharp.

Let us know what you try and what works for you!

Philbert

Offline Gregsl

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2013, 02:53:36 pm »

Pretty much up to you.  Are you a guy who 'maintains' a sharp edge, or runs them until they are dull?  Performance or durability minded.  Trying to buy locally or from a catalog?  Brand loyal or open minded.

The MS260 is a great 'all-around' saw which cuts well with .325 chain.  But you don't have to commit to one chain.

If you are really  uncertain, buy a few different types of chains: get a full-chisel chain and a semi-chisel chain; try a STIHL, and an Oregon or Carlton/Woodland Pro.  Try them side-by-side and see which works best for you, which cuts fastest, which sharpens easier, which lasts the longest, etc.  Also compare price to determine which is a better 'value' for you.

It's always good to have a back up chain (or two).  You might find that you are happy with many different chains, or that you like certain chains for certain conditions (e.g hardwoods/softwoods, frozen wood, limbing versus bucking, etc.).  If you are mostly bucking and limbing with a 16 inch bar, do not be afraid of 'reduced kick-back' chains, if they have the bumpers on the drive links (instead of on the tie straps).  These are mostly an issue with bore cutting and longer bars.

I'm kind of an open minded guy, and will try any chain as long as it is sharp.

Let us know what you try and what works for you!

Philbert

Wow! This is exactly the approach I am going to take. Same as how I ended up figuring out my favourite three blades for my safety razor.

I'm open minded and enjoy maintaining the sharpness of anything chain/blade related.

I'm not brand loyal....as long as it works for MY situation.

I think I'm going to go with 3 chains and give each of them a try like you said.

I'm going to try the oregon 20BPX 067G micro chisel.

I suppose to round it out I should try a full chisel too.

What would you reccomend for a full chisel?

Also, what's another chain I should get to round out my testing experience?

I've got a granberg file-n-joint on the way so this will also be an experience for sharpening....

Thanks,
G

Offline Philbert

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2013, 06:03:22 pm »
It's hard for me to keep up with all the model numbers.

If you have a STIHL dealer nearby (have to buy from a dealer) try one of their full chisel chains. If you are buying from Bailey's, try one if their Woodland Pro (Carlton) chains.

Granberg is a great way to get uniform, sharp cutters.

Philbert

Offline jmester

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2013, 07:05:41 pm »
Full chisel in stihl would be 23rsc. And 23rm for micro. Are you sure it is not .063 gauge as that is what most stihl .325 pitch saws are? Have run Oregon and stihl chain of all sizes, both are great chains, but imo stihl chain holds its edge longer in the same cutting conditions.
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Offline Gregsl

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2013, 07:51:57 pm »

Full chisel in stihl would be 23rsc. And 23rm for micro. Are you sure it is not .063 gauge as that is what most stihl .325 pitch saws are? Have run Oregon and stihl chain of all sizes, both are great chains, but imo stihl chain holds its edge longer in the same cutting conditions.

Definetly a .050

Offline jmester

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2013, 08:16:50 pm »
Just wanted to make sure. I think,I will try and find some of those bars as well then my chain would all match from j red/husky and stihl. Thanks
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Offline Gregsl

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2013, 08:35:21 pm »

Just wanted to make sure. I think,I will try and find some of those bars as well then my chain would all match from j red/husky and stihl. Thanks
Cool no prob. I thought the same thing with the bar. Apparently it's a regional thing to get a .325 050

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2013, 08:43:30 pm »
All my Stihl .325's are(were) .063. My 026 I changed over to 3/8" X 16"  X .050 RSC
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