Well, here's my humble opinion. Oh, I use a grinder so I can't really say what any of these are like to hand file.
- Husqvarna x cut (c83) is the sharpest, best cutting out of the box chain I've ever ran. It's got a funky grind pattern on the cutter that sure does work. But, every time you sharpen it that pattern goes away and it becomes just another standard cutter. I've read about a few guys doing fancy things with their grinders to replicate the original profile but I've never taken the time to try it. Really good chain and doesn't stretch like the Oregon stuff. About $23 or so a loop from lawnmowerparts? on ebay.
- I've got 7 or 8 loops of Forester full chisel in .325 for my 550xp and I really like it. It's got a polished, chrome look to it out of the box and needs to be touched up before using. It stretches some too but not like the Oregon. It's got a long top plate and I can't really tell a difference in hardness or wear between it and the x cut. I really like it and will get some loops in 84 dl as soon as Sawsalvage has it back in stock. $18.50 from the Duke's.
- Archer chain sucks. Tried 4 or 5 loops and two of them broke a tie strap with minimal use. Maybe just a bad batch of metal but I wasn't impressed with the ones that didn't break either.
- I've got many loops of Oregon EXL and like that chain as well, except for the fact that it stretches every time you cut.
The x cut is my favorite, reasonably priced chain. But, I'll continue to buy the Oregon and Forester chain as well.