I designed that UC Short to be a compromise for slower twist barrels yet still work well in the 1:24" White twist. You might want to try a few of those as well.

How did the barrel shortening work out for you? If he put an 11º target crown on it, you may not like the way it handles starting the conicals. My smith did on my Encore so I wound up doing a DIY job on the crown and it came out great! Did he save/alter your ramrod?