Try getting in touch with Devin at Sinarms, I spoke with him about a year ago about the same idea. There was an old LA savage sitting in the gun store and if I could have talked them down enough on the price that is the route I was going with it. (My buddy bought it for $20 more than I offered... and still hasn't even shot it!!!) As far as barrel freebore, factory weatherby's run long. How long you want it, is how long you get it. That will come down to the specs of the reamer used and what you want the smith to do with it. Love the idea, let us know how it goes!

-Jake