Plinking

Metal target used for plinking

Plinking refers to informal target shooting done for pleasure at nonstandard targets such as tin cans, logs, soda bottles, or any other homemade or naturally occurring target.^[1] In contrast to shooting done at established target ranges, plinking is generally done at home, in a gravel pit, open field, or other private land for no fee. The term plinking is an onomatopoeia of the sharp, metallic sound (or "plink") that a bullet or other projectile makes when hitting a tin can, or similar (metal) target.

The most common calibre used for plinking is the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge,^[2] since these rounds are relatively inexpensive and have a low recoil. Airguns and airsoft guns are also used, often for cost or safety reasons or because they are subject to less stringent regulation. Plinking can also be done with a bow and arrow, although usually this involves using softer targets that will not damage the arrow. With bows, the practice is usually termed "stump shooting" instead of plinking.

Appeal

The primary attributes of plinking that make it appealing as a sport are as follows: the easy availability of locations, minimum of cost, freedom in practice, an outdoors environment, and a more engaging shooting experience when compared to established target ranges. Since not all people have reasonable access to a target range, outdoor shooting done at home or other nearby piece of land is a natural alternative, and for many, homemade shooting ranges are the only way to keep up good marksmanship. Since target ranges generally charge a fee for the use of their facilities, and shooter usually have to buy their own paper targets, going to a target range can cost. In addition, gun ranges by necessity have many strict rules concerning the use of their facilities, with rules concerning shot rate, where the shooter is allowed to stand and when they can go downrange to check their targets,which some shooters may find stifling. Many shooters find the open air to be a much more pleasant shooting environment than the inside of a target range, which is usually made of concrete and steel. By contrast, plinking can be done at home whenever the urge strikes, for merely the cost of ammunition, as the targets used are generally any item of suitable size that comes to hand, soda cans being one of the more popular choices. Plinking can be done alone at the individual pace of the shooter, who is free to move around at will, or in a group, which of course requires the use of some pre-determined safety measures. The targets themselves that are used are one of the main reasons why plinking is popular among gun enthusiasts, especially hunters. A three dimensional target in an outdoors setting is much more akin to a real world hunting scenario, allowing a hunter the opportunity for practice. Since any reasonably sized object, from a soda can to an arbitrary spot on a tree can be used as a target, a three dimensional plinking range can easily be set up that will simulate situations commonly found while hunting small game, such as when the animal is behind cover, or up in a tree. A plinking target will also often react much more positively to a hit than a paper target will, either with an audible impact, or by moving or falling over.

See also

• Glossary of firearms terminology
• List of rifle cartridges
• Hunting
• Target shooting

References

External links

• Power Plinker - Promoting the benefits of plinking.