#46 Stihl MS 500i vs MS 261C - Best Chainsaw for Firewood - Saw Wars 2
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- Опубліковано 24 гру 2020
- In this video I show the two best chainsaws for cutting firewood. Head to head match up of the two highest power to weight ratio saws you can buy.
Killed that chain on the 261 on the first 4 cuts 🥴
was fun to compare these two
@Brentley Ignacio u really tying to scam somebody watching a chainsaw vid?
@Brentley Ignacio No, we don't give a shit about some stupidly obvious scam. I can run a keylogger if I need to.
I noticed the 261 was dull enough to smoke.
Saw arrived yesterday ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and today I cut about 3/4 cord of wood with it. Make sure you get an extension chord that is at least 12 gauge wire, minimum. This is my first electric in about 10 years, and things sure have improved. The self-sharpener works great, and it just kept cutting through some pretty decent logs. Wear your eye protection, and ear protection. Excellent saw.
Great video! I think comparing cc gives best understanding of what chainsaw to get.
At 72 a very light weight nimble and still powerful saw is very important to me. I have both a 261 and a 462 but the 261 sees more wood than the 462 just because of the weight factor. The 261 takes less effort to use even though it takes longer in the cut. I love my 462 and when the wood gets up to 18 inches or larger the 462 is my saw of choice. :)
I have the same 2 saws! 261 & 462! Great saws!
I agree I run a ms250 with an 18 04 light bar .....just recently found out I have arthritis so a smaller saw is good for me
Same with me. Stihl 250 and 462, my beloved duo.
I’m on the same 2 saw plan. Wouldn’t mind a 500i but and the difference in price wasn’t really deciding factor . I know a 500i will pull a 40” bar if needs be but I’ve seen a lot of videos were the 462 will beat a 500i just bucking . Plus I figured the parts are probably easier to come by for the 462
@imfree62 You have a nice collection of chainsaws. :)
my MS 462 with Rolomatic 20cal and half fueled weighs 18lbs.
Just came across your channel. Great videos and content!
Awesome, thank you!
*Coming up on having had this saw for a year....am a casual user and bought it to cut up sections for bowl blanks. Easy to start, **Bestfor.Garden** also recommend even after storage for a couple of months. Simple chain tension adjustment. Just cut up some 20" Osage Orange, including ripping bolts in half (at an angle). Like butter!*
Great video. The 261 is an awesome saw. The 500 is a beast. The 462 is one of my favorite saws for all around, do it all saws.
Right on
I bought the 261c in Canada (in 2022) and it was $900+. Pretty expensive! However, I cut about a cord a week (into 16" rounds for firewood) of pine and spruce and I gotta say, as long as the chain is sharpened, it works great! I love it. One of my favorite tools for sure.
Вітаю друже, я з України - Київ. Також купив собі таку модель в 2022 в Києві за 610 $ USA. Німці нам зробили знижки із-за війни в моїй країні 😢
I may see if one these gas things will cut any better than my crosscut saw pretty soon.
MS261C 4HP @10.8LB its a very good amount of power for the weight. The Ms261C is a legit professional saw and definitely isn't cheap. It is an absolutely outstanding saw for those who own one it is one hell of a refined, lightweight, and powerful saw and continues to impress me every time I use it! I really want to buy an MS400C for my next saw it's either that or the MS462C but I will keep my 261
I’d be going for the bigger saw as the next one. Stock 261 cut close to the speed of 362 just because of the chain difference (.325 vs .375). The 400 is a step up from the 362 but not enough if you can afford the 462! Just my thoughts though!
I have 2 saws in my arsenal and they happen to be the MS 261 c and the MS 500i !!! Both modified and both beast ass tools in they’re own right! Great video
So fun to have both
I cut with 046 Magnum Stihl also ms261 Merry Christmas
Love the desperados 3 theme 😂
Im starting to think im the only guy that starts his cold saw and then sits it on the ground and let it idle and warm up for a minute before sending the RPM thought the roof.
You are.
You aint. That's why our saws have spotless pistons after 10 years while other people very quickly get mild piston scoring and lower compression from uneven dilatation and wear in the first year of the saw running. The saw will still run and most don't know it doesn't run at its full potential anymore.
Right? That drives me nuts. We have a guy at work that does that with his truck. Starts it, even cold and rips it right down the road. Same with watching all these guys start their saws and immediately red line them....ugh...
They need about 30 seconds before you should get on it.
You know letting warm up is a smart thing you can’t just wake up an get to it so why expect a sad to do it it’s really hard on them
The "best" chainsaw for cutting firewood - if we're talking Stihl, and considering power-to-weight-ratio - is, unquestionably, the Stihl MS 362 C-M. The saw is an absolute DREAM to use (even on the hardest of hard-woods!) and won't break your bank (or your back!) to use it. If firewood is your one and only BUSINESS, the Stihl MS 462 C-M should be on your bucket list like yesterday: unmatched cutting speed, power-to-weight-ratio and ease of use... UND ES WIRD IN DEUTSCHLAND GEMACHT (AND IT'S MADE IN GERMANY!). Nuff said... and happy sawing! ;)
You know your saws. I've been a Stihl dealer for 20 years and your summation of these models is very good. I personally am a big fan of MS362 since I've become older.
had the ms 250 for 8 years and its been a learning saw for me and its certainly cut alot of wood and taken a beating, bought the ms 362cm a couple years ago and its just amazing! wish id bought this saw earlier..
Sam saw i have its a beast love the 362c
I would love to try the 362. almost bought that one.
Maybe so unless your able to get your hands on one of the older Stihl 044s not the 440 or 440 Magnum.
I have a 660 and a 460 so can't justify a 500i but I do need a 261. It's next on my shopping list. Followed by an order to West Coast Saws for fangs and mufflers.
Love the term fangs. I put a Westcoast barkbox on my 500i seems to like it.
Thinking getting the 500 for my self this week lots of money but got free wood deliver to my house a lot of big stuff
I love my 038 mag ported and my ms 660 ported
Mantap mas broo👍
25 inch bar you can cut rounds on the ground standing up. Also, longer bar extends your reach when cutting into the pile. Both help the with back pain
I would like to try a longer bar. Future video perhaps
I do a lot of cutting and I use a twenty inch bar for almost all my cutting a longer bar to me is a pain to use.
Excellent
Thanks
I got 3 new saws when I purchased my land I need to clear. I got a ms180 an 261C And the 362c. I also have my oldie but goodie 036 pro. Its funny that each saw i like for certain cuts or work. The 261 is the best saw all around but It gets heavy for brush and limbing and cant really cut the bigger stuff as nice as a 60cc saw can. Its the best all around saw however. The 180 is no joke. I have cut and cut and CUT with mine and its just getting broken in. IM clearing Land not cutting up one tree... The little 180 has a 2 year warranty and its AWESOME for smaller stuff or just limbing work. People think its about the same weight as the 261 they are wrong. My 261 has a 20 inch bar and a MUCH bigger chain profile its a huge difference in weight over the 180. Now the 180 has a smaller task work. Its NOT a saw you can but up a 24 inch oak with... You need to use the right saw for the job. NIce work 500i is an amazing saw for sure But im happy with the 4 I have. =)
Three times the fun.
I just bought the 261c an I’ve doubled my out put on fire wood coming from a 350 husky the 261 at 10 pounds an 4 hp is great
Great saw
I'm not too keen on putting a small bar on a big saw. I have a 461 with a 28". It makes it nice not having to bend over so much. Most people do that so they can use the bucking spikes without going into the ground. Which is another issue, using the spikes and cranking on the saw puts a lot of pressure on bearings and chain. If it sharp let it do its thing, it should pull itself. If it's dull then sharpen it.
I think the MS 462C-M and MS 661C-M both have higher power to weight ratios than a MS 261C. I have the facelifted MS 261C-M and would recommend it as a great all-around saw, except when cutting through very hard wood (such as orange osage). On those woods, a MS 500I or a 661C-M is going to be a MUCH better option. I think you did a great job comparing the two saws regardless!
Great point. I need to work on my math... haha
I always liked the 20" bar best for any firewood I need to cut.If I needed a saw,and had the money ,I'd buy both...I always liked to have a smaller saw for limbing and backup :)
I have a261 but got some free wood and thinking about the 500 some of the wood will need 32 or larger bar.
I've cut firewood for about 30 years.Currently I use a Stihl MS271 and a Husky 350,both are great for cutting firewood and work well for me.
Thanks for sharing
That's the truth. For most people cutting firewood, any dependable saw will work. You're not racing anyone in the middle of the woods by yourself.
Husky 350👍
50cc and 80cc good range of saws to have
261 is great with a 16” bar and chain. Love my 500i too!
I have the 500i and love it however I thought about buying the 261 because after carrying the 500i around all day with a 25" bar my arms are gone. We clear properties so every tree that hits the ground I have to delimb them or cut logs so I think the 261 would make it easier on me.
Nice job god bless
Hello I'm from warm springs oregon reservation. I have small 271 looking for a better chain for it or buy myself a bigger chainsaw for big blocks like dry pine and large tamerack poles but mostly big red fir blocks and looking 4 for something bigger or different chain to cut straighter and last longer without filing down.any advice or show or send videos.
Buy yourself a ms 400 c m from ripsaw. And sell all your other saws. There 400 cuts like a 500i and weights like a 261. Awesome saw from ripsaw. I run a 32” light bar on mine. Carry cut all day. Just love it
I have both, 500i and 261, love it 😍
Thanks for the comparison, they are great saws each in their own way. Did the 500i come as standard with the 20inch? Most come standard with the 25inch light bar.. I hope to buy a 500i very soon so im looking forward to it! Cheers..
I like the comparison between the mid weight and heavy weight. Too many reviewers compare saws that are almost exactly the same size, price, etc. That's great if you have an exact, strict budget, but videos like this show the difference in a "step up" or even a couple steps up. It lets people gauge cost/benefit. Like comparing a 250 to a 261c, almost twice the price but you get metal casing, elastostart, electronic carb, more HP, and so on. Some people may not know if they want to spend ~350 or 600, so the mismatched comparison helps out a lot. Thanks.
I have found the Stihl MS 250 to be the best overall saw for myself! I cut a lot of wood ,all hardwoods,and it handles it all for me .I can cut thru very large trees and it is light enough to limb with ! Just wanted to shout out for the MS 250. It has been overused ,and never let me down!
homeowner's saw
@@treemands Yep , I own my home and i cut hardwood trees almost weekly all year round . i also fell trees with it and maintain a bunch of woods for some people . Definitely a saw for someone who owns their home. I am not now a professional arborist nor have I been . Although I did work in a sawmill in Eagle ,Colorado in 1975 . Lol. It's a great saw.
One of the best saws I ever used was a Stihl 025 which is basically the same as an ms250. It was used 3-4 days a week for probably a decade before it was stolen. Dropped it about 50ft out of a tree and it was laying there running on a pile of brush when it landed. I have an ms250 now and it’s a great saw too.
500i all day love mine
I replaced my old MS 260 with a MS 261 C-M Few weeks ago. Like it a lot. You said on the video, that the price in US in around $500. Here in Finland the price is 799€, $960...
Husky hands down! Love the passion. Check out Rocky Mountain Firewood for all things firewoodin'
Will do. I should get a Husky too. Had a couple but sold them. I just ordered a Husky Pickaroon.
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 Nice! Looks like a handy tool. Keep on firewoodin'!
This is like comparing a stock v6 mustang to a supercharged v8 drag racing car. One obviously has superior specs in every way.
This is what I want to say. It's a 2 different category of saw compared. It doesn't make sense.
I have both the 500i & ms260 pro, both excellent saws but no comparison!!
I have a 170, 440 and a 441. The 170 does OK on limbs. I cut all hardwoods 14-22 inches. I use 20 inch bars. The 441 is a 72 CC electronic controlled saw that was replaced by the 462. The 462 is a little bit lighter and a little bit higher HP. I cut a lot of locust. It is a hard wood. The 500 might be nice.
You need a light04 bar and rs super chain on the 261 mine cuts oak all day on this combo and cuts real fast
I'm curious...are you using CC/Weight for your power to weight ratio? It appears so when I do those calcs. Wouldn't the actual HP be more accurate. For instance, a homeowner 60 CC saw may produce way less power than a Pro 60 CC saw.
When I look at the numbers in LBS/HP I get :
1. MS500i at 2.075 lbs/HP
2. MS462CM at 2.237 lbs/HP
3. MS 362 at 2.623 lbs/HP
4. MS261 at 2.7 lbs/HP.
Either way, I think they are all awesome and I want one of each!!
Yes, did CC/Weight. HP would be interesting stat too
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 Ya, that would be interesting, since that is what you said in the video. The 661 was the champ until the 500i came out.
I would like to see MS 400C-M vs MS 261C-M.
That would be great to see
Seems a good 361cm or 562xp is the single saw of choice for firewood fellas like myself. We have like the 6 saw plan i beleive tho?? Ported 346xp, ported 550 and 562xp, husqvarna 261, 372xp and 350. Personally i still favor the 60cc saws for all around.
Yes, I think I need to get a few more. More saws, more fun!
I think your chain was dull on your 261 after the second cut threw that hollow log i think it would have shown better in the time race had it been done 1st .i run a 261 and 660
Both had new chains
Great video! I believe that might be the best combo of saws to have right now.
I think so too!
Any thoughts on ms 400?
I like how ms 261 runs
its a amazing saw 4hp at 10lbs is a screamer.
awesome saw
With that freshly-dulled chain on that 261 it didn’t stand a chance. It was throwing powder by the time you got to the fresh log up off the ground. I still subscribed though! Sucker for chainsaws, I guess.
Thank you. Was fun to compare these two saws
I went into the shop today to buy a ms261 then I saw the ms661
I couldn’t make a decision
Get yourself a Stihl 2-1 sharpener and never worry about a dull chain again. They are foolproof and do an excellent job.
True, they are awesome sharpeners and easy to use.
That is on my wish list
I like that 261. My 290 and 271 work great. But I’ve never tried a “pro” model to compare them to.
The non pro saws are garbage
Can’t compare those 2 saws. I own a ms261cm with a 18” bar. Best saw I ever used
That log was hollow. You could use a 170 lol. Nice saws
Thanks 👍
Before you got the 500 were you looking at the 661?
that saw is a monster I love mine and once it is modded it just eats logs and I swapped mine to a .404 chain and it is great for cutting big nasty logs as the .404 takes forever to dull even when ripping through logs
661 is a bit big for my needs. Looked hard at the 462
You need to throw in the new MS 400 C-M. Sits nicely between these two, being a 67cc unit with 5.4HP at only 12.8lbs (2.37lbs/hp)
Big bore kit the 261.??? Port and muffler mods?? Change sprocket??
I wish I knew how to do that. Some Day.
When you have a ported 461 (and a ported 661 and a ported 880) no need for the 500i. Also have a ported 261c and it is a fanfkntastic saw up in the trees on a belt or in a bucket. 362 great saw as well. lol on that hollow rotten wood being cut on.
Stihl Ms 261c is my favorite saw. Don't have a 500i yet. Thinking a 462c might be better choice for me.
Many folks are choosing the 462cc over the 500i mainly due to availability. Both are awesome saws and minor difference in power and weight. 500i would win a drag race but not by much.
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 I hear the suspension on the 500i is not good for felling but can be fixed with aftermarket parts. I just think that with my experience with my 261 and my 362 both being mtronic would make the 462c more familiar. I don't want to be surprised as I jump up in power.
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 both the 500i rap and 462c are on the shelf at my Stihl Shop right now.
If you want a better saw I would look at the new 362 I believe you would very surprised I have had both of them. I have a MS 500 I can also be 362 I really enjoy the 362 in cuting Fire Wood the 500 I is great for falling smaller timber. It is only 4.8 cubic inch I have a 32 inch bar for that saw and that is plenty a bar for that size and on my 362 I have a 24 inch bar and can use a 28 inch bar. If I like to do that for 261 is too small in cuting Fire Wood that saw primarily is used for camping or putting on four wheeler, side-by-side, and carry-on with you occasionally need it
The 462 hangs right with the 500i
Lighter, cheaper and time tested too.
But once you have that 500i its amazing I'll never buy anything carbureted again
So does a 661C-M in some respects.
That would be a fun test. 500 vs 462
Keşke bu çalınan müzik bir kovboy filminde çalsaydı.🇹🇷👋🐞
A quick bit of math shows that the MS 362, 400, 462, 500, and 661 all have better power to weight ratios than the 261. Doesn't make them the right saw for the job though. Personally I'd love to see a comparison of the MS 362 to the MS 400, as I like having that little bit of extra power, and those two saws are fairly close in specifications. Still, looking forward to when the 500i is more readily available.
Totally agree with you Stigsboredcousin, the power to weight ratio of the 261c is 1.6, the 400, 462 & 661 are 1.4 and the 500i is 1.2.
I agree, that would be a good comparison. I would like to have an MS 362.
Yeah go try bucking stuff with a 661😂. Chain speed is definitely slower aswell
What does the c mean on the 261
I own MS170 but wanna replace it with NS180.Does it make sense?
If you’re cutting small limbs I’d say either would be okay.
Carrying a saw all day ain’t bad when you go to cut brush in four spans an got to days to do it you and your crew that’s smallest saw feels like a whole ass ton
Try putting a 3/8 chain on your 261 it made mine into a beast
Thoughts on a 20" bar on the MS 261?
I really like the 20" bar. Very balanced and less teeth to sharpen vs a 25" . It gets through all the logs I get my hands on. Some are well over 20". Saw is a hot rod. So fun to use.
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 thanks for the reply. Been REALLY torn on the MS261 vs the MS362.
The 261 is a great option if you want a lighter saw, but it has never had the best power to weight ratio (especially if you consider bar weight). In fact, the 261 has the worst power to weight ratio of all the Stihl Pro saws. If you look at HP/LB this is what you get:
500 - 0.497
462 - 0.462
661 - 0.442
400 - 0.422
880 - 0.386
362 - 0.380
261 - 0.270
If you add a 20" bar, the ratio difference gets even worse for the 261:
500 - 0.394
661 - 0.362
462 - 0.361
880 - 0.332
400 - 0.329
362 - 0.294
261 - 0.278
Personally, if money wasn't an issue, I would run a 261 for light work and have either a 462 or 500i for heavier stuff.
Really good point. Thanks for letting us know. This is great reference info
STIHL 👍👍👍
best chainsaw for just firewood for yourself is of course the ms170, ms180.. can easy do 10 m3 in 1 day. but for bit more relax work i would advice at least 2hp to 2.5hp. above 2hp your saw keep going even with a not so sharp chain.. ms170 you want to sharpen your chain.. i ended up with a ms201. 1 handed 3.7kg 2.4hp. light weight and cut really fast for what i do..
I have a 194T right now because I’m cutting down small trees and limbs. The absence of weight is so nice. Next on my list is the MS261. Plenty of power for what I need.
@@ABetterLifeInc i also have a 362. Its 5.6 kg bought it because I found it way to cheap. To be honest. For all the cutting I want a light weight saw.. 6 kg is no fun. To weird positions while cutting. Nope I love my 1 handed saw. I dont need nothing more. Probably going to sell the ms362.
Thanks for the tips!
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 we are all
colleagues right? haha but we all have our own preferences.. i love my little saw.. but out it the woods.. just letting trees fall. and cutting it in pieces.. than i would take my big saw and be jellious looking at every bigger saw haha :p
If you dont want to spend 1400.00 on the 500i .. The 362c, 462, 311 are all better choices than the 261
You push your saw way to dam much. When the sound bogs down your trying to cut the wood by pushing the saw. You just let the saw cut. You dont need to push.
I own both
They are great. Saws are fun.
3/8 chain on both saws?
You are right about that. Then 500 does consume a lot more fuel than the 261 but can do most jobs faster. Here in the states we are lucky that a little more fuel doesn't matter much. Great point though. I have been using my 261 more lately. Like you said, both are great. Perfect to have both.
I can't handle the bog. I had my 500i ported. didn't gain much rpm, but the torque is amazing, no bog even with 32" bar. Stand up and buck
I think 462 has better ratio than 261,may be wrong
Інжектор дуже класно 500 super ,441 mc super.
Dull chain on 261 to make the 500i look better. I bet a 170 would beat that dull 261.
i love the 261, but i think the 500 for firewood is a little bit overkill. i run a 362 and a husky 555, with the same 20in lgx chain and i dont get logs over 14in. that being said i still want the 500i . its a hot rod.
How do you compare a 50.2cc saw against a 79.2 cc saw, lol 😂.Small dia softwood????
Do a saw wars 400 vs 462
That would be a great video. I almost got a 400. its on my wish list.
power to weight is pointless as the power isnt being used to propel the weight of the saw. hp and torque are the ones. this being said chain sizes and widths make a difference to the cutting times. more chain cuts more wood, more wood needs more hp.
The first saw was faster, maybe because the log was hollow?
Yes, I didn't realize that log was hollow.
three times as much and 50% heavier? 261 for me
You will love the 261
I love the 261 it's a nice saw to cut all day, That being said I'll be getting a 500 soon I have a new log supplier and he's been bringing some big stuff
I don't know if you know this but revving a cold motor is the worst thing you can do besides running no oil in the gas.
Yes, I have since changed to a warm up cycle when ever starting up my saws. Great tip for all who are watching this one. Thanks.
Put stihl 3/8 picco 63ps, cannon CSM-S1-18-50-3LM and 7 pin picco rim on the 261 and it will blow your mind.
NEITHER!!! The best thing a fellow can get for firewood is grandkids. They are awesome cut, split and stacked. The only thing it costs is Grandma's homemade pizza.
That’s the best tip ever. 🤣
You need to be careful bucking in a wood pile that way. If the tip of your saw hits a log out in front you’ll get a terrible kickback
Why have one when you can get both
agree
Best part is you use two band new chains
yes, tried to make it fair as I am not good at sharping. Just don't like doing that
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 To bad you did not do the timed portion of the video while the chain was still sharp instead you did the timed portion after dulling the chain in that nasty hollow log.
Hai sa tai lemne tari nu brad carpen ulm sa vezi ca nu mai merge asa ușor
462 is the best all around stihl saw
Get both
Agree. More saws the better. Hahaha!
I wouldn't put a $25 chain in that run a old chain
I'd rather use a 462 over 500i, better air filtration too and cheaper. Both can pull a 32inch bar great, I don't need anything more than that. Oh, and it's lighter. I don't see no reason to buy 500i except for really long bars maybe 36"+? If that's the case I'm better off with 661 lol. I kinda wished they came up with 300i and 400i to be honest, as replacements for 261 and 362 respectively. They would fit the role better there than the 500i does currently at it's class.
I will say the 500i does not feel as heavy as it is but I also sling a 880 magnum but once I bought the 500i I knew I wasn't going back to carburetor
I would love to compare the 500 to the 462
that rotton dirty log killed the chain on 261 or it would cut better
το να συγκρίνεις τα αλυσοπρίονα στο κόψιμο του ξύλου δεν είναι σωστό, τουλάχιστον όχι με το χέρι, γιατί και η παραμικρή γωνία κοπής έχει διαφορά , το ξύλο μπορεί να έχει διαφορετική πυκνότητα, μπορεί η αλυσίδα να βρεί κάποια πέτρα κτλ....