What is "plinking"

n. 1 A noise that plinks. 2 (context firearms English) informal target shooting done at non-traditional targets such as tin cans, glass bottles and wood blocks. vb. (present participle of plink English)

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. 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, 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.