Every Alcorn County deer hunter knows the drill: the shooting lane that was clear last season is a wall of saplings and privet by October. Clearing lanes at deer camp in Alcorn County takes a saw you can trust — one that starts easy at daylight, cuts clean through pine saplings, and doesn’t quit before lunch. Here are five well-reviewed chainsaws worth a spot in the back of the truck.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices shown are approximate as of October 15, 2026.
The 5 best chainsaws for Alcorn County shooting lanes
1. Husqvarna 450X Rancher 20-Inch — ~$354.99
The Rancher is the saw you see most at Mississippi deer camps, and for good reason. The 450X adds Husqvarna’s AutoTune — the engine adjusts itself for temperature, altitude, and fuel mix — on top of the 50.2cc X-Torq engine pulling a full 20-inch bar through pine and hardwood saplings all morning. Specs: 50.2cc 3.2-HP 2-cycle X-Torq engine with AutoTune; 20-inch bar; 40% easier starting; 11.3 lbs dry weight. Check price on Amazon
2. Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch — ~$499.99
A step up in muscle for hunters clearing more than saplings — downed trees, storm blowdowns, and bigger hardwoods along the lane. The 55.5cc engine and longer bar capacity handle timber the 450 would struggle with. Specs: 55.5cc 3.5-HP X-Torq 2-cycle engine; 20-inch bar with X-Cut chain (fits 13–24 inch bars); 13.2 lbs dry weight; automatic oiler. Check price on Amazon
3. Husqvarna 120 Mark III 16-Inch — ~$219.99
The budget gas option that still carries the Husqvarna name. A 38cc engine and 16-inch bar is plenty for trimming saplings and light clearing, and it’s lighter to carry through the woods all morning. Specs: 38cc 1.88-HP X-Torq 2-cycle engine; 16-inch bar; ~10.7 lbs dry weight; automatic oiler. Check price on Amazon
No gas, no mixing, no pull-start in the dark — the 56V battery saw is the pick for quick lane touch-ups. It cuts with the power of a 50cc gas saw, runs quiet, and the included 6.0Ah battery handles up to 330 cuts. Specs: 56V 6.0Ah ARC Lithium battery (50cc gas equivalent); 18-inch bar and chain; brushless motor; tool-free chain tensioning; LED work light. Check price on Amazon
5. CRAFTSMAN 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric (CMECS600) — ~$89.00
The cheapest way into lane clearing. Plug it in at camp and cut — a 12-amp motor and 16-inch low-kickback bar handle saplings and limbs with zero maintenance. Specs: 12-amp corded electric motor; 16-inch low-kickback bar with auto-oiling; 6.19 lbs. Check price on Amazon
Why Alcorn County hunters love a good chainsaw
North Mississippi deer woods grow back fast. A saw that handles 14 to 20 inches of bar covers nearly every shooting-lane job, from privet and sweetgum saplings to storm-damaged limbs. Gas saws run all day without a plug, while cordless and electric saws are quieter and simpler for quick work.
Buying guide: chainsaws for shooting lanes
Bar length: 16 inches handles most lane clearing; 18–20 inches covers bigger timber. Gas vs. cordless: gas for all-day camp work, cordless for quick trips and quieter starts. Weight: you’ll carry it through the woods, so every pound matters. Safety: pair any saw with chaps, eye protection, and a helmet — and never cut alone in the back forty.
Get the lanes clear before the rut, and you’ll wonder why you ever put it off. These five saws — from the sub-$100 Craftsman to the full-size Husqvarna Ranchers — cover every Alcorn County camp budget and every kind of timber.
Jon R Myers is the executive editor of Alcorn County News and the founder of the Mississippi News Group, which he started in 2013 to cover communities across North Mississippi. He also founded the Mississippi Sports Group in 2006, which grew from a single community publication into a statewide network covering high school and college athletics. He reports on local government, public safety, schools and community life in Corinth and Alcorn County, working from public meetings, agency records and interviews with the people involved. Contact him at editor@alcornnewsms.com with news tips or corrections. For a correction, include the article link and supporting source material.
Stay connected
Your community. Wherever you are.
Follow Alcorn County News on Facebook for local news from Corinth and across Alcorn County.
