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550 XP Mark II or MS 261

jcarlberg

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Sorry guys; first post is yet another “Help Me Decide””.” This is a decision between a 550 XP Mark II or MS 261 (16 inch bar on both). Local dealers have great prices on both right now. Husky is about $35 cheaper. Stihl guy is a bit closer & seems like great place for parts/service. Have a 390 XP (20 inch bar) I love so was leaning toward Husky until reading epic 261-vs-550 thread on another forum. Just want a reliable saw for felling & bucking firewood to sell semi-commercially. Wanting something in the 50cc class my sons can run & I can take it easier with. Will do plenty of fall/winter cutting. Appreciate any & all advice!
 

Squareground3691

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Sorry guys; first post is yet another “Help Me Decide””.” This is a decision between a 550 XP Mark II or MS 261 (16 inch bar on both). Local dealers have great prices on both right now. Husky is about $35 cheaper. Stihl guy is a bit closer & seems like great place for parts/service. Have a 390 XP (20 inch bar) I love so was leaning toward Husky until reading epic 261-vs-550 thread on another forum. Just want a reliable saw for felling & bucking firewood to sell semi-commercially. Wanting something in the 50cc class my sons can run & I can take it easier with. Will do plenty of fall/winter cutting. Appreciate any & all advice!
There both good saws, witch ever dealer you feel most comfortable and confident with and a knowledgeable staff,
 

jcarlberg

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Thanks guys; appreciate the feedback & advice!
 

full chizel

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Went with the MS 261 with 3/8 chain on a 16 inch bar. Looking forward to getting some work in with this saw!
Being that you’re in Canada you can get the performance kit for it
 

SCHallenger

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For some the inboard clutch on the Stihl is preferred to the out board on the Husky.
FWIW, the new RS23Pro .325 chain outperforms the Picco PS (lo-pro 3/8) on my MS 241, so I would expect it would do the same on the 261.
I see you have it already set up with 3/8 which should do very well with a 16in bar & is easier to sharpen than either of the other two choices.
Enjoy it!
 

jcarlberg

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I’m not sure why you would bother with the calibration. Just run it like you normally would any saw.
‘Cuz I’m kind of a rookie compared to most of the rest of you so figuring I should follow the instructions!! Good to know I should be ok if I messed it up tho 😜
 

Khntr85

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My 261 came with a 16”, from the first tank it was begging for an 18-20” bar…I have an 18” on it now and have been running it hard in hard woods too…it’s gotten better with each tank ran threw her…
 

Khntr85

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‘Cuz I’m kind of a rookie compared to most of the rest of you so figuring I should follow the instructions!! Good to know I should be ok if I messed it up tho 😜
I flipped threw the manual and it doesn’t say it needs it right off the bat…I have just been running mine with zero issues…I wouldn’t want to hold a new saw WOT throttle anyway….
 

jcarlberg

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I flipped threw the manual and it doesn’t say it needs it right off the bat…I have just been running mine with zero issues…I wouldn’t want to hold a new saw WOT throttle anyway….
Ok just going off what the shop owner said. Hopefully no harm done.
 
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