As a stopgap, if you see a good original barrel 'cut-down' to 22" to 26" on ebay or GunBroker, it could be a good inexpensive option.

It can give you a 'carbine' to shoot and enjoy. It can be improved at a later date, when you find someone that can do the work.

Last year, I put a 'faux-NRA carbine' together from a stripped model 1898 action and accumulated parts.

I got a barrel with a very decent bore for around $45, plus shipping.
What I bought, as a 'cut-down', actually turned out to be a '96 carbine barrel with the front-site filed off and 'dovetailed'.

Someday, I may have a nice base installed on it.
To use the barrel in the meantime, I fitted a 1903 Springfield 'banded' front sight.

The barrel indexed fairly close to the 'mark' and head-spaced properly.

---