The Last of the Z Trilogy....The 300 Zandyr

[Doublezranch]

Some of you know I started building Wildcats for my children. I gathered the best people and we were able to come up with an extraordinary plan. I decided to build the Wildcats with a couple of determining factors. The first was I wanted a belted case so if the kids decided to not to reload, they could buy a box of factory ammo and still use their gun. The second, the caliber had to fit their attitude. The first was Zayne. I picked the 378 Weatherby. JE Custom and I were able to improve the case more than expected. The 375 Zayne holds 144 grains of powder and is a pleasure to shoot. The second was my daughter Zaylea. The caliber we chose was the 340 Weatherby. Again JE Custom and I were able to come up with improvements beyond our expectations. The 340 Zaylea Ann holds 108 grains. We don't have the dies yet so she is fireforming brass. Now on to the last. JE Custom and I sat at the drawing board one last time for the most challenging of the bunch. We talked over several possibilities through. However, every conversation came back to the 300 Weatherby. The 300 Zandyr should be completed this winter and will be a 300 Weatherby Improved. Tentative Improvements show the case will hold 111 grains. That much powder for a 30 cal should be a real long range contender. My build team (JE Custom, Dave Manson, and Joel Russo) have been incredible and unbelievably supporting to the kids and myself. The 375 Zayne and 340 Zaylea Ann do have threads with pictures if your interested in seeing them.

More to come.....

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I love 30 cal hot rods!

My 1st thought is, how does this compare to the 30-378 wby?

 

[Doublezranch]

That's a great question. I would think the Zandyr might have an efficiency advantage due to the 40 degree shoulder. Dave Manson tweaked a few things to make the case a bit better from the original drawing. This should be a real rocket.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Sounds like you're basically building a .300 Ackley/.300 AMU, .308 Baer, or .30 Lara... All basically improved versions of the .300 Weatherby.

I have a .300 Ackley myself. Excellent cartridge with the 215 Hybrids and 7977. I imagine 8133 will also prove to be good powder for it, but don't have any to try yet.

 

[Doublezranch]

The time has come. Over the weekend I was finally able to finish this rifle. Let me say this was the most labor intensive build out of all 3 Z rifles.
I was able to gather all the top builders for one last go around. There were several challenges that set this build apart from the others. Since Zandyr is 10, I wanted to build a rifle that is fully adjustable. This way he could shoot it now and as an adult. Alex Sitman (masterclass stocks) built a 3 way adjustable buttplate. It is truly a work of art. This will give all the adjustments needed to achieve this goal. I also tried my hand at a tiger maple blank. While JE Custom was machining, I was able to get it profiled, inletted, and sanded. Once JE was done with the smithing, I sent him the raw stock for bedding, pillar bedding and buttplate instillation. We were able to take a pre-COVID trip to visit JE and present Zandyr with his rifle. Once the rifle was home, sanding continued as did many texts to Joel Russo. I knew what I wanted and who better to consult with than the best stock builder in the US. Joel walked me through the steps and gave dye recommendations. Needless to say, we are all very happy with the outcome.
The improvements to the case were staggering. The 300 Weatherby case has a 95 grain capacity. The 300 Zandyr has 107.5 gran capacity which makes it hold more powder than the rum.
I truly cannot thank JE Custom, Joel Russo and Alex Sitman enough. These gentlemen are at the top of the ladder in their professions. All of them put as much into these builds as much as I. I am forever grateful.

Jayson

 

[74sharps]

Impressive rifle all the way around. Beautiful piece of wood. Nice work. 74

 

[J E Custom]

Good to see it finished Jayson.

Can't wait to see it perform. It has been a real pleasure to be part of these builds and get to know the family. It adds to the satisfaction of building a custom rifle when I get to know and become friends with them.

PS: I did tell Jayson how much work the stock work would be and I think it turned out incredible. I just hope it shoots as good as it looks !!!

J E CUSTOM

 

[LVJ76]

Dang, way to go the 3 of you. One Sexy and Beautiful looking rifle and cartridge. Everything about is is nice.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

The tiger maple is fantastic! Very unique, for sure one of a kind.

 

[Doublezranch]

Thanks everyone! As you all know these rifles were a tribute to my kids. Each one is special and different. I tried to suit their guns to who they are as people. I believe it was a successful journey.

 

[LVJ76]

It's takes some special men to do what you guys did for your kids, not every man does that. Great job Dad

 

[FEENIX]

@Doublezranch, those are some cool wildcats to go with cool kids' names built by some cool people but I think the coolest of them all is their DAD. WTG, Jayson!

I love this kind of story. Enjoy your precious time with them while you can, they'll be on their own before you know it. Happy safe shooting/hunting.

Ed

 

[Doublezranch]

Thanks Ed. I really appreciate the kind words.

 

[Joel Russo]

Another beautiful stock to add to your resume... Well done my friend.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this build, even if it was a small part, I appreciate the kind gesture.