Plinking

Plinking refers to informal target shooting done for pleasure, typically at non-standard targets such as road signs, tin cans, logs, bottles, or any other homemade or naturally occurring target.[1]

For the PuTTY command line utility PLink, see PuTTY. For the military term, see tank plinking.

Metal target used for plinking

Practice

In contrast to shooting done at established target ranges, plinking is generally done at home, in an open field, or other private land for no fee. The term plinking is an onomatopoeia of the sharp, metallic sound (or "plink") that a projectile makes when hitting a metal target such as a tin can.[2]

The most common caliber used for plinking is the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge,[3] since these rounds are relatively inexpensive and have a low recoil; however, any caliber can be used in plinking, and it is not unusual to see a person plinking with a full power rifle or pistol. Generally it is also very cheap. Air guns and airsoft guns are also used, often for cost or safety reasons or because they are subject to less stringent regulation - a similar practice with a bow and arrow is usually termed "stump shooting".

Appeal
A stop sign used for target practice, Southern Indiana

The primary attributes of plinking that make it appealing as a sport are as follows: the easy availability and broad variety 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 shooters usually have to buy their own paper targets, going to a target range can incur significant costs, especially when added up cumulatively over time. In addition, gun ranges by necessity have many strict rules concerning the use of their facilities, with rules concerning shot rate, types of ammunitions and firearms permitted, 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 also 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 conveniently comes to hand, with beverage 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 or a charcoal briquet[4] 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 visually confirmable by moving, splattering or falling over. Steel targets, which are used for formal action and long range shooting competitions, are also popular among plinksters due to their relative ease to set up, as well as being easy to confirm good hits.

See also

References
  1. Eder, J. Fred (October 12, 1953). "'Plinking' is Popular Sport for Gun Shooters". The Monitor. United Press. p. 8. Retrieved April 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Deflective Skepticism and Critical Plinking, Parisian Laundry Montreal, Quebec, 2014; see mawcollective.com
  3. "The Zen of Plinking". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  4. Single Action Sixguns, page 294; John Taffin, Krause Publications, year 2005
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