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Plinking refers to informal target shooting done at non-traditional targets such as tin cans, glass bottles, and balloons filled with water.[1] The term is an onomatopoeia of the sound a bullet or other projectile makes when hitting a tin can, or other similar target, referring to the sharp, metallic sound, known as a "plink".
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, but airguns and airsoft guns are also used, often for cost or safety reasons or because they are subject to less stringent regulation.
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Reasons for popularity [link]
There are at least three major reasons for the popularity of plinking.
Minimal costs and effort [link]
Firstly, plinking has been popular because, in rural areas, one could start plinking with a minimum of preparation and expense. In hilly country with clay soil providing a safe backstop it is as simple as gathering up a few stray cans. In many rural areas, up until recent decades plinking was essentially the only way to regularly practice marksmanship. Certainly, a rural shooter might improvise a formalized paper target but even then, the rest of the shooting experience had the character of plinking.
Shooting freedom [link]
Secondly, plinking in general allows a shooter much freedom of choice in creating his or her shooting experience. In particular, the plinker is set at liberty from the very restrictive rules found at many gun ranges. Certainly, this freedom can be used to violate basic safety standards (see below). However, other typical range rules which are not strictly matters of safety can also be ignored while plinking. Plinkers need not have fixed time periods of shooting before shooters have a chance to add, remove, check, or adjust their targets. In general, plinkers are free to shoot at their own pace.[2]
Many gun ranges also place restrictions on rate of fire, for instance mandating that shooters only fire one shot every three or five seconds. Thus, shooters equipped with a semi-automatic weapon, fully automatic weapon, or a revolver cannot get the full enjoyment out of shooting their firearm. Since defense situations often require knowing how to accurately fire multiple shots in rapid succession, prohibitions on "rapid fire" shooting reduce firearms proficiency.[citation needed] While private indoor gun ranges often allow rapid fire they tend to bar surplus military ammunition from the range, charge more for shooting rifles than for shooting handguns, frequently disallow the largest calibres, and charge by the hour which forces one to compress one's shooting experience.
Target choice [link]
The third major reason for the popularity of plinking is that plinkers are able to choose their own targets. This reason is related to the first two. Many targets regularly used for plinking are cheaper to obtain and more commonly available than standard paper targets. Second, plinkers are able to use reactive targets which, when hit, are more apt to display the full power of their weapons compared to paper targets hit with similar precision.
Common criticisms [link]
Some shooters disdain plinking because they feel it results in sloppy shooting habits, or because it may bring a bad reputation to the shooting sports because of the litter that individuals sometimes leave.[citation needed] Litter has caused many public access areas to be closed to recreational shooting and should be cleaned up after plinking to ensure that further closures do not occur. Another problem is lead pollution of the environment. Since some plinkers may also shoot "anything that moves" (especially if it is small), this can cause a lead toxicity problem for scavengers, in addition to the ecological balance issues involved.
Safety [link]
Responsible shooters clean up after plinking and follow general safety guidelines when shooting at any target. When plinking, a major concern is to ensure an adequate backstop exists so bullets will not strike or ricochet towards unintended targets or populated areas.
Plinkers do not always follow all safety guidelines, in part, because some of the appeal of plinking derives from the freedom one has from the strict rules enforced at a typical gun range. Thus, plinkers do not generally use typical range commands and it is not uncommon for plinkers who do not use prescription lenses to go without eye protection. Most plinkers will, however, yell out a warning before starting a shooting session and will make sure their comrades have ceased firing before going out to work with their targets. Plinkers unused to a formal range environment, particularly older plinkers from rural areas, may also omit hearing protection, especially when they are only supervising younger shooters or simply being bystanders. Overall, however, most modern plinkers have extensive range experience and practice basic safety precautions including the use of hearing and eye protection.[citation needed]
In nations such as the UK with more stringent gun laws than in the U.S., casual shooting is more often done with an air rifle (air gun).
See also [link]
References [link]
- ^ "Plinking With Handguns". https://www.myoan.net/shootingart/sm_pist_plink.html. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
- ^ a b "The Zen of Plinking". https://www.gunsandammomag.com/ga_handguns/plinking_080107/. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
External links [link]
- Power Plinker - Promoting the benefits of plinking.
