Shooting Sports and the Cybertruck

[Jager]

Show up at a rifle match - any one of a number of disciplines - and you'll see a sea of trucks. Mostly big trucks. Ford F-150's (and 250's and 350's), Chevy Silverado's, and Dodge Rams are ubiquitous. In my neck of the woods I'd say something on the order of 70% of competitors are driving trucks, with another 20% driving SUV's.

It's not hard to decipher the leanings and opinions of this particular demographic. Among other things they are truck people, writ large. With a pretty heavy bias towards what worked for their dad and granddad... and themselves, back when they were younger.

Given that, it's been interesting to observe the reaction when someone shows up in a Cybertruck.

There's a bit of ribbing. And the not-so-subtle EV jokes that we've all become accustomed to, of course. But I've been surprised at the amount of genuine interest that most express.

Like many things in life, you get people to consider something they never before considered - and in some cases may have been outright hostile to - not by arguing with them, but by quietly showing how something else can work.

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[Hunky Dory]

I have gone to the local range once since I got the Cybertruck. It is a self service range and I didn't meet anyone else in the part of the range I was using though I could hear others shooting in other parts of the range. In general I have found gun owners are more conservative than average. Most of my friends are gun owners. I have found them to be at first slightly shocked, then curious and open minded. I have been asked the standard questions many times: How far can it go on a charge. How is it in cold weather. how long does the battery last. Questions about towing and about Elon's politics (not everyone knows that Elon is a gun owner). By the time I have answered their questions they have become very accepting and even enthusiastic. Good people.

 

[smcnaughton829]

I am finding new and exciting ways to transport my rifles.
I go to the range at least once a week. Started with my M3 years ago. First time I showed up with it I got funny looks. Years go by and now I show up with my CB. Everyone wants to see it, even had many people ask to drive it. And yes these are the same big truck guys.
No one really knew anything about it. And the first time I opened the cover it was like oh wow it’s really a truck bed from everyone.
Now since I have had it for awhile they keep asking me what am I going to wrap?

 

[MyOtherTruck]

I was on a hunt in WV recently and after everyone made some good fun of me and my CT, by the 2nd day we all realized the CT was an excellent hunting truck due to the rear tonneau being able to be closed and locked up with all our gear in it!

plus we could fit all four of us comfortablly inside. Cant say how a big buck would fit because we got ZERO

 

[RickJ19Zeta8]

Shooting F-class? Temperature control humidor for ammo.... very nice.

I got the same reaction the first few times I brought it to trap league. Ribbing, then interest, then "oh, you can fit your trap gun in the locked frunk without breaking it down and its easily accessible?"
Our club parking lot gets tight with lots of trucks, and most guys have their guns in the back seat. So they fight the door, trying not to hit the truck next to them while getting their gun out.

Still quite haven't figured out rifle cases in the bed, as I like having the divider in to hold smaller stuff towards the rear. But the case doesn't fit then. Don't really want to go with a drawer system.

 

[Jager]

Shooting F-class? Temperature control humidor for ammo.... very nice.

I got the same reaction the first few times I brought it to trap league. Ribbing, then interest, then "oh, you can fit your trap gun in the locked frunk without breaking it down and its easily accessible?"
Our club parking lot gets tight with lots of trucks, and most guys have their guns in the back seat. So they fight the door, trying not to hit the truck next to them while getting their gun out.

Still quite haven't figured out rifle cases in the bed, as I like having the divider in to hold smaller stuff towards the rear. But the case doesn't fit then. Don't really want to go with a drawer system.

Close... benchrest. And you're exactly right regarding the humidor... I'm running a series of tests where powder temp is very tightly controlled. (Something that's easy to do in the CT because of its 120v outlets. Would be difficult in an ICE vehicle, even one with such outlets, because matches span hours of time).

I'm fine with most equipment in the bed. But because it - the bed - is not completely weatherproof, I keep the guns themselves up in the cabin.

Amen on fighting the doors in tight parking!

 

[Bill Hull]

I was on a hunt in WV recently and after everyone made some good fun of me and my CT, by the 2nd day we all realized the CT was an excellent hunting truck due to the rear tonneau being able to be closed and locked up with all our gear in it!

plus we could fit all four of us comfortablly inside. Cant say how a big buck would fit because we got ZERO

Ten point er on the sled
Nikola will drag him to camp
No lifting

 

[Sxksxk]

I was on a hunt in WV recently and after everyone made some good fun of me and my CT, by the 2nd day we all realized the CT was an excellent hunting truck due to the rear tonneau being able to be closed and locked up with all our gear in it!

plus we could fit all four of us comfortablly inside. Cant say how a big buck would fit because we got ZERO

Literally reading this while hunting. Can't wait to put a deer in the bed of the truck and show up in the rural town.

 

[btcrealm]

I've been to a Tesla lightshow event and know a couple other people that have as well. The number of American flags either on the vehicles or flying behind them(both in my case) is an over 50% ratio. The cybertruck community/attraction seems to be different than the average Tesla cars.
I haven't done any range trips with mine yet : (

 

[REM]

Ten point er on the sled
Nikola will drag him to camp
No lifting

And drag him so quietly that you just may run across another one en route!

 

[jf64k]

Nice BR setup, OP!!

Dig the temp controlled reloads!! Now THAT'S sweating the details, haha!!

I think the CT is an awesome range vehicle. We often go late afternoon so we can get some night shooting in. So nice to not have to deal with gas generators for lights or heaters.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

I am finding new and exciting ways to transport my rifles.
I go to the range at least once a week. Started with my M3 years ago. First time I showed up with it I got funny looks. Years go by and now I show up with my CB. Everyone wants to see it, even had many people ask to drive it. And yes these are the same big truck guys.
No one really knew anything about it. And the first time I opened the cover it was like oh wow it’s really a truck bed from everyone.
Now since I have had it for awhile they keep asking me what am I going to wrap?

This truck hunts. I went places with it that my previous 4x4 might not have made it. With heated seats. In virtual silence except for the crunch of gravel or the splash of muddy water and slopping clay. It was AWESOME.

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