When I was wanting my 500 S&W re-barreled recently I hit multiple "good" smiths that were even 2yrs or so out.
It's amazing how much work seems to be out there for gunsmiths, I got lucky and took a chance on an odd avenue and have my 1/12 twist 500 S&W now, but yea, it seems that the known good smiths are drowning in success.
Most people don't realize such a thing exists, but you can fail because you're succeeding so wildly, I worked for a company that was doing it, comes along with not knowing how to turn down work, well, sometimes.
Not that that's happening to these guys, but, just for some candor.