Budget upper recommendations

[Pokinfun]

 

[dennishoddy]

Be a funny looking 26" barrel on an AR. lol. I stand corrected on losing velocity with the longer barrel. Don't know where I got that.
The difference from standard lengths of 16-18-20" isn't much. 127fps between the 16 and 20.
At 300 yds, its 4.2 inches of drop with a 100 yd zero using the 20", with the 16" that's 8.3 with a 100 yd zero. Both start falling like a rock at longer distances.

 

[Pokinfun]

Be a funny looking 26" barrel on an AR. lol. I stand corrected on losing velocity with the longer barrel. Don't know where I got that.
The difference from standard lengths of 16-18-20" isn't much. 127fps between the 16 and 20.
At 300 yds, its 4.2 inches of drop with a 100 yd zero using the 20", with the 16" that's 8.3 with a 100 yd zero. Both start falling like a rock at longer distances.

I posted a 308 chart as a comparison of gain per inch. Think of the number of guys that will drag around a rifle with a 24" barrel when there is only 103fps gain over an 18" barrel.
But, I think the OP just wants a 20" upper for aesthetics.

 

[BlackRiflesBoy]

Thank you all for your input! I did end up going with a 20" Palmetto with a free float Key mod 15" handguard. Caught it on sale for $279 & free shipping.

 

[Pokinfun]

post a picture and review when you get it in.