Kirby, the easiest way around the shipping is to break it down and wrap the barrel and stock separately in bubble wrap and put in a shorter box. I normally tape the wedge pin in place in the stock with masking tape and put a 3x3" piece of cardboard taped to the hammer so it doesn't puncture the shipping box. A 6"x6"x36" box works great. Just pad the ends of the box with balled up newspaper.
NIce rifle - too bad I don't need another caplock.