Replacement chains for Stihl?

[Scratch]

I have a Stihl MS 362 C-M with a 20" bar. I'm not a pro, but I do cut about 10 cords a year for firewood. I've been using Stihl's Oilomatic 33RS3 chains but am considering a different brand since they're so expensive. I know the 33RS3 is a full chisel, single humped drive link, and the R is for "Rapid" which I assume is a faster cutting chain than their Picco. I'm not sure of the benefits of the single humped drive link...?

Can anyone suggest a less expensive but high quality comparable option, or should I just stick with the Stihl?

 

[Reach]

Personally, I believe that the Stihl chains are worth the money. Oregon makes some chains that are interchangeable, but they do not seem to last as long. If you hit a lot or rocks/dirt/metal, Oregon chains are probably going to save you some money. If you keep your cuts clean, you will save with Stihl in my opinion.

The RS3 is a good all-around chain for cutting in clean wood, if you’re cutting dirtier wood, try the RM3, it’s a semi-chisel chain, which cuts a little slower, but is much more tolerant of dirt.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Check Stihl chain loops from Baileys Logging Supply for price. Stihl does last longer in clean wood - better metallurgy.

 

[evo]

I’ve found that unless you need to learn how to file Stihl chains are more economical even if they cost more. The metal is noticeably harder getting a sharper longer lasting edge. Minor damage from dirt is no biggie, as it doesn’t do too much significant damage to the chain. You can tell the difference when hand filing, say you take five licks off each cutter on a Stihl chain and five off a Oregon. The amount of metal removed is nearly double on a Oregon chain.
The benefits is that a Oregon is quicker and easier to get a good edge back on especially after rocking a chain, simply because it’s quicker and easier to remove more metal. However your removing more of the cutter to get the same quality of cutting edge.

 

[Birdyman88]

If you were looking at Oregon, the two chains closest to 33RS3 you'd be looking at are 72LPX and 72LGX. The 72LGX is straight up no bumper like 33RS. The 72LPX has a bumper with the raker like 33RS3 but it's not a safety bumper, just more to keep the chain from tilting too much in the cut. But, like everyone said, the Stihl is harder metal and lasts longer. Don't bump the dirt with a 72LPX chain, trust me, you'll likely have to stop right there and resharpen. I've occasionally bumped the dirt with different flavors of full chisel Stihl and generally don't have issues.

 

[Scratch]

Thanks all, I think I'll just stick with Stihl chains.