MS 441 bar/chain size

[joshlaugh]

Looks like I am getting a MS 441 Magnum this month. I have been kicking around what size bar/chain I should get on it. Right now I run a MS 310 with a 16" and 20" bar/chain. My dealer has the 25 in stock but not the 28". He will sell me the 32" bar/chain for the same price as the 28"($10 more than the 25"). I am getting this saw because I keep coming into bigger and bigger trees to cut but not sure if the 32" is overkill or will cut down on my cutting speed vs the 25" one. What are your guys' opinions who have run this saw with those bar lengths? I have only run the 441 with a 25" and loved that.
Thanks

 

[smokinj]

I have a 32 and a 28. The 28 will buck a 60in tree if your good at sharpening and finding the flat spot. If not the 32 in. there's not a Big difference but really got use to the 28. So Kinda splitting some frog hairs here but if I was buying a new 441 I would hold out for the 28.

Oh cutting speed 28 puts you right in the middle of the road. There's enough power on a 441 full skip chain on a 32... 28 half skip and 25 full comp.

 

[HittinSteel]

I'd run the 20" you have for the 310 on the 441 most of the time and get a 28" for the bigger stuff you encounter.

 

[joshlaugh]

Thanks for the input. So I should run a skip chain on it if I go above 25" bar?

 

[HittinSteel]

That's what I ran on my 372 (muffler modded) with a 28"........... pulled it quite well in hardwood. Also less teeth to sharpen.

 

[flewism]

My 441 came with an 25" bar and it rips through everything running full chisel. If I didn't have an 28's on the poulan 8500 and pro 525 I'd have a 28 on the 441.
You'll be fine pulling a 28" bar on a 441 without a skip chain.

 

[smokinj]

My 441 came with an 25" bar and it rips through everything running full chisel. If I didn't have an 28's on the poulan 8500 and pro 525 I'd have a 28 on the 441.
You'll be fine pulling a 28" bar on a 441 without a skip chain.

probally so, but there's alot of wood that a half skip or even full skip will be quicker in the cut and easier to sharpen.