What bar length will an 038 Mag pull?

[cnice_37]

The saw is a runnin' and I'm like a proud new dad (scored Super jug & slug to Mag conversion, with quite a few speed bumps in between). It took a bit to get to this point, and I'm right around $200 into the build.

Currently the bar measures 18" from clutch cover to tip (not sure what size Stihl calls this... 20"? 18"?) Chain has 50% life and bar looks decent too.

Around here I've seldom needed more than a 20" bar, but I do shy away from anything needing much bigger. 25" sounds about right for full RSC on a 72cc pig... but could I go bigger and run skip? I've got some good sized Oaks in the back woods that are probably pushing 30" so not sure if 28" makes a difference there.

What might y'all recommend, and any ideas on good deals (combos) anywhere? Bailey's always kills me on shipping but the local shops kind of suck.

I'm also a 5'8" elec. engineer built like one.... so maybe we should keep that mind

 

[RiverRat2]

The saw is a runnin' and I'm like a proud new dad (scored Super jug & slug to Mag conversion, with quite a few speed bumps in between). It took a bit to get to this point, and I'm right around $200 into the build.

Currently the bar measures 18" from clutch cover to tip (not sure what size Stihl calls this... 20"? 18"?) Chain has 50% life and bar looks decent too.

Around here I've seldom needed more than a 20" bar, but I do shy away from anything needing much bigger. 25" sounds about right for full RSC on a 72cc pig... but could I go bigger and run skip? I've got some good sized Oaks in the back woods that are probably pushing 30" so not sure if 28" makes a difference there.

What might y'all recommend, and any ideas on good deals (combos) anywhere? Bailey's always kills me on shipping but the local shops kind of suck.

I'm also a 5'8" elec. engineer built like one.... so maybe we should keep that mind

Its the same displacement as a MS460 if memory serves correctly should pull a 24" with no trouble

 

[redoakneck]

It will balance better with a 24-25", it can pull and oil a 28" but it will be a little nose heavy unless you get a light weight bar.

Nice saws, very similar to 044/046. Skip the skip chain, less cutters for the same price.

 

[Mad Professor]

Think about it, a 25" bar will cut a 50" tree

25" E bar with RSC chain. Will rip hardwood with a 7 pin sprocket.

Save the smaller bar and get a 8 pin for small stuff

P.S. What brand P/C did you use for thew conversion?

 

[cnice_37]

The jug was from a member here, Stihl OEM.

Piston was from eBay and pretty sure it was a Meteor... Silver box blue writing IIRC.

 

[sawfun9]

An 038 Mag will pull a 32" with full skip but not that well. It will pull a 28" full skip much better. I used a 20" with full comp as it balanced well and was fine for firewood. Make sure to use a 7 pin. Even with a 20" bar it won't like a 8 pin.

 

[nmurph]

The jug was from a member here, Stihl OEM.

Piston was from eBay and pretty sure it was a Meteor... Silver box blue writing IIRC.

Every Meteor I have bought (many dozens) has come in a green and silver box.

 

[Abflyboy]

An 038 Mag will pull a 32" with full skip but not that well. It will pull a 28" full skip much better. I used a 20" with full comp as it balanced well and was fine for firewood. Make sure to use a 7 pin. Even with a 20" bar it won't like a 8 pin.

My 038 Super converted to Mag p&c wears a 20" with full comp primarily. I have a 28" bar with a full skip chain that it pulls with ease. No worries about oiling either.

 

[ramrat]

Randy, ported my 038 Mag and it runs a 28" bar and it oils great. There is a thread some were on here about my 038 Randy did for me.

 

[CRE1992]

It would probably pull a 28" bar. Heres the thing to think about, I am 20 years old, about 5'10" and I am pretty fit. I have a 460 Magnum, it came with a 28" bar and has no problem pulling it. I found the 28" a little too long, not balanced properly and my back was pretty sore after using it for 6-7 hours straight. So I bought a 20" bar as my uncle recommended it because you can pretty much take care of any tree by me it will just take longer. So I used the 20" for about 2 hours and it felt really stubby. I didn't like it.The median was that 25" bar that Stihl offers. The 25 had a lot better balance, and my back did not hurt at all after using it for 4+ hours.

So I would recommend a 25" bar.

 

[burnses]

i have a 038mag and have used it alot with a 20 bar and rcs chain.....a nice combo i would used the shortest bar that fits your needs.

sap can

 

[Mike mike]

My 038 mag pulls a 25" skip with authority through 30"Red oak and locust no oiling problems holds rev line beautifully

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

A healthy 038 mag will pull a 28” bar and full comp chain in soft wood no problem. Hard wood will slow it down a little, just like any other saw. I run a 28” light bar and RS chain on mine. Got another with a 20” bar EXL chain and 8 pin rim sprocket. They’re not high RPM saws, more of a tractor power torque saw. Should also add, IMO 70cc saws (not ported) in general are good 28” bar saws. Anything bigger is 90cc territory.

 

[Mike mike]

Yep medium speed torque monsters like a tractor.

 

[SES Vic Aus]

I know I'm late to the party, my ms 380 maxes out at a 32inch through Aussie spotted gum with a sharp semi chain my Std bar is the 20inch, big is 25, only if I have too 32inch(spotted goes the same dry density as water, 1t per m3 so as good or better burning as Aussue redgum, just leaves more ash).