Best chainsaw for 10 cord, $1000 budget. 25" diameter hard wood

[bassJAM]

I've enjoyed the heck out of my pawnshop Makita 6400>7900 upgrade (OEM P&C, HD air kit) the past few years. I have around $550 in that saw and its been a dream. Starts in 2-3 pulls every time, no issues and never lacks power. Good AV. Easy to work on. Great saw, I will buy a Dolmar 7900 in a heartbeat if I ever have to replace it. I just ordered the 550xp for something smaller and lighter and as a backup for my 7900. The 550xp (or 545) would be a great option too. So would a Makita/Dolmar 6400 or a ms260/026 or a 362 or a ______. Lots of options.

You’re going to LOVE that 550xp! I’ve yet to get a 79cc p&c on my 6421, but the 550xp is such a dream to run, I don’t grab the Dolmar until I’ve just about run out of bar length on the Husky.

 

[Jutt77]

You’re going to LOVE that 550xp! I’ve yet to get a 79cc p&c on my 6421, but the 550xp is such a dream to run, I don’t grab the Dolmar until I’ve just about run out of bar length on the Husky.

You were 100% correct. I received my 550xp on Saturday. Pretty much like new condition from ebay, even the gray paint wasn't yet scratched. At any rate, I promptly gassed and oiled her up and very quickly processed some 3-8 inch diameter black locust limbs and siberian elm I had laying around. All I have to say is WOW. That little saw screams AND I didn't have to adjust the carb for once. The auto tune was a huge selling point because I cut anywhere from 5,300 for metro area city scrounges to 7,000ft were I live up to 10,000 ft. for mountain gathering and not having to adjust the carb each time is brilliant. Lots of power in a 10lb, well handling, auto tuning package.

 

[Halligan]

I run a two saw plan. Husqvarna 346xp with an 18" bar and a 372xp with a 20" & 28" bar. I've decided that if the 372 with the 28" can't handle the job then I'm not interested in it.

 

[Dennis Scott]

Husqvarna 372 x-torq

 

[clemsonfor]

Many would argue the best was the 372 pre x torque or 372xpw but its no longer made

 

[clemsonfor]

I have only run on briefly but I think the 046 is the beat saw made. Good power to weight ratio and can pull a 28" bar.

 

[Ashful]

I have only run on briefly but I think the 046 is the beat saw made. Good power to weight ratio and can pull a 28" bar.

If you meant "best," then you meant "064."

 

[clemsonfor]

Never run one..but from what I hear I guess your right.

Hear it smokes the 660 and weighs less in smaller chasis. And I have the 650 so I have the same weight but 7cc less than the 660 and a pound or two more than your 064

 

[bigbarf48]

For that budget and wood, Stihl 441 would be my choice

362 would be good too

 

[Flatbedford]

I still say MS362. About $800 and you can do plenty with it. Mine will happily pull a full chisel 25" B&C thru anything.

 

[Ashful]

I still say MS362. About $800 and you can do plenty with it. Mine will happily pull a full chisel 25" B&C thru anything.
View attachment 137905

Without starting a pissing match, I'm going to have to disagree. Bury the nose of that bar into any good hardwood, and a 362 may pull it, but definitely not "happily." If you're running a 25" bar in hardwood, you'd better have 75cc behind it, minimum.

 

[clemsonfor]

Without starting a pissing match, I'm going to have to disagree. Bury the nose of that bar into any good hardwood, and a 362 may pull it, but definitely not "happily." If you're running a 25" bar in hardwood, you'd better have 75cc behind it, minimum.

Unless thats full skip you sure can slow that saw down or have to go real sloe with a 25" bar.

 

[Flatbedford]

Unless thats full skip you sure can slow that saw down or have to go real sloe with a 25" bar.

I started with skip and changed to full. I felt like it was doing fine.

 

[Dennis Scott]

Many would argue the best was the 372 pre x torque or 372xpw but its no longer made

I have both. I'll take the xtorq over the old one any day. Way more power, especially down low. You can't believe everything you read on the internet. Put a full chisel chain on a 24" bar and you have a mean cutting machine.

 

[clemsonfor]

I have a 372x torque. Its a beast of a saw. I run it with a 20". Never run the old.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

I am very happy with my Echo CS600P, but they now make a slightly hotter model, the 620P. I wouldn't hesitate to go with that or a Husky 372XP, if you wanted to spend quite a bit more. My Echo CS500 VL is now about 35 years old and still going strong. If I had found a chain brake kit prior to buying the larger saw, I probably wouldn't have the 600P, but I like it a lot, and use them both.

 

[ironworker]

Get yourself a nice 70cc saw

 

[drz1050]

I would normally say Echo, but you said you prefer something that likes to rev high vs something that revs lower... Echos tend to rev a little lower and have a fatter midrange than the other brands instead of the top end.


Since you like the high revs, I say Stihl or Dolmar/ Makita.

 

[WiscWoody]

I like the combo I have now, a ported and Tilly carbed 390 XP 28" chisel and a 562XP 20" chisel chained not ported yet... And no, I am not married! Lol