A Nation of Plinkers

by
posted on June 20, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2012628134812-new_plinking.jpg

Plink, plink, plink plink, plink. The sound soothes good folks’ ears even if muffled by foam plugs. It’s the sound of everything we know to be good.

Plink, plink, plink, plink plink, plink. It’s the sound of fun on a Sunday after church. Most of us will never compete in the Olympics, but then again plinking isn’t an official sport yet. Show us a Winchester 61 or a Ruger Mk II and a good backstop and we’ll go for gold until dark or the bottom of the 550-round carton of .22s shows cardboard. Nobody’s keepin’ score—unless you count friendly wagers on the trickiest shot—and you won’t hear any sappy Bob Costas commentary save for the satisfying plink plink, plink plink of lead on aluminum can, lead on plastic and lead on whatever else needs pluggin’. “See that piece of clay pigeon way over there?” Plink. Not anymore!

Plink plink, thud thud, plink is the sound of mostly good shooting. And it’s more than merely for giggles. It’s fun with a purpose; it’s the sound of a good hunter getting better; it’s the glorious, ringing sound of success. In contrast, misses are hardly audible, forgotten the instant they thud into dirt. But they are helpful to the astute shooter for aim corrections—and for hearing more gratifying plinks!

Plink plink plink is the sound of freedom. Think the average North Korean can walk out onto his back yard or go to the local Izaak Walton League and send a hundred bullets into an old Coors can as fast as he can pull the trigger? Highly doubtful. Fact is, one reason why our soldiers routinely whip our enemies is because they grow up plinkin’.

Plink plink plink; pause; plink plink plink. Unlike the deer stand we love but occasionally becomes boring and cold, it’s mostly all action out here on the sunny plinking field, where the only lulls come when resetting pummeled targets and reloading. Paper targets and a benchrest? Great for zeroing a rifle—and for sapping all the fun out of an otherwise peachy endeavor. Stand up, quit trying to be perfect and just plink. If you miss, you didn’t miss by plinkin’ much!

Plink plink, plink plink plink “That’s how you do it, boy!” Plink plink. It’s the sound of our girls and boys learning the fundamentals of shooting and the lessons necessary to become responsible adults and productive Americans. It’s learning that even though it only goes plink, it can have permanent consequences.

Plink plink plink, click. It’s the alarming sound of running out of ammo. If you don’t have more, it’s the sound of a gun about to be cleaned and put away until you can go plinkin’ again. Remember your New Year’s resolution? If it wasn’t to plink more this year, it should have been, because plinking is good for your health. So plink away, NRA members, for July is prime plinkin’ time, and best of all, everyday is the opener.

Latest

BTB 7Mm RUM Lead
BTB 7Mm RUM Lead

Behind the Bullet: 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum

Launching a 160-grain bullet in excess of 3200 fps, the 7mm RUM is among the fastest commercially loaded 7mm cartridges available.

USFWS Debuts 2025-2026 Federal and Junior Duck Stamps

The 2025-2026 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp—commonly known as the Duck Stamp—became available for purchase on June 27, 2025.

Tested: Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener

Digital Associate Editor walks viewers through the features of the Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener, the perfect tool for a hunter looking to keep all his knives factory sharp season after season.

Recipe: Green Curried Black Bear

Green curry sauce is an excellent base for simmering bear meat, making it flavorful, tender, and safe to consume. Read on for another instant classic recipe from Brad Fenson.

Coyotes to Competitions: An AR-Build for Accuracy

ARs make great coyote guns. But what would the absolute best coyote rifle look like? Digital Associate Editor David Herman builds his take on the best AR for shooters who like to plug coyotes in the winter, and ring steel all summer long.

Pennsylvania Governor Signs Sunday Hunting Bill

Legislation that will fully repeal Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban was signed into law on July 9.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.