Plinking refers to an informal way of target shooting. It uses common items as targets like tin cans, tree logs, soda bottles, or any homemade target.
The name is an onomatopoeia, which means it is the same as the sound a tin can makes when it’s hit. Shooters devoted to plinking are called “plinksters.”
The Appeal of Plinking
The first thing plinksters say is that plinking is fun. It can be done anywhere at any time. There are no range fees or strict regulations. You can shoot a .22LR, 9mm, 10mm auto, or .45 ACP. It allows the shooter to get comfortable with the gun and sharpen his aim.
Plinking appeals to many different types of shooters. Shooting outdoors allows for fresh air, a stress-free environment, and freedom of movement. It’s a great way to teach novice shooters the ropes before going to a shooting range.
The only cost incurred is the price of the ammo. The only downfall to plinking is bad weather.
The most common targets for plinksters are tin cans. Cans are easy to come by, portable, and don’t shatter like glass upon impact. Larger targets include trees and homemade 3D targets.
Five Reasons for Plinking
1. Paper Targets Aren’t Realistic
Paper targets are common, but they’re also boring. The 2D images don’t mimic real life situations. Hitting a larger or solid object is more fun.
The only downfall to plinking with 3D objects is that you may need a backdrop depending on your location. Shooters should watch where their bullets land to clean up afterward.
2. Fresh Air and Exercise
For the most part, shooters stand still inside a firing range. Plinking offers fresh air and exercise. Shooters practice from various positions to hit the target. Plinking sites also make for a good excuse to take a hike or run drills.
3. Fun!
Pinking is fun. It’s a great activity for family, friends, and other hobbyists. There’s an opportunity to spend the day practicing with various weapons and ammo, creating a competition, or educating yourself or someone else.
There are no strict time limits or extra expenses.
4. Great Practice
Plinking can be as fun or as serious as you like. Overall, many shooters prefer it to a shooting range because of the freedom to practice with any type of ammo or firearm, unless either or both are illegal.
It also provides an opportunity to practice hunting in terrain similar to your regular hunting grounds. Have someone hide targets in dense underbrush or pretend a tree or log is a charging animal.
5. Stress Relief
Nothing says stress relief like shooting. Control is key but being able to let go of a bad day or rough week is an added bonus to practice and fun.
10mm Ammo & Plinking
Choosing a big bore ammo for plinking might seem like overkill, but 10mm ammo is a great all-round load. Many shooters will pick .45 ACP as their choice of big bore for self-defense or handgun hunting.
The 10mm loads are more powerful than .45 ACP loads. It also maintains its velocity at a longer range.
The 10mm cartridge is the brainchild of legendary firearms expert Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper. Cooper worked for Norma and Smith & Wesson. His dream was to replace the .45 ACP with a better round.
The FBI had been in search of ammo that could reload faster and exert more pressure. Cooper’s 10mm would fill the bill.
The original cartridge used a 170 grain bullet. It had a muzzle velocity of 1300 FPS and a muzzle energy of 600 ft.-lbs. The FBI paired the round with a Smith & Wesson 610 and made it standard issue for its agents.
The weight and recoil proved to be too much for some agents. They failed critical field tests. Eventually, Smith and Wesson changed the round and introduced it as the 40 S&W.
The FBI abandoned the 10mm. Glock saved the round by continuing to produce 10mm pistols. After the failure of the Bren Ten pistol, Colt launched the 10mm Delta Elite pistol. There were still some S&W 610s to be found, so the 10mm survived.
10mm Ammo Today
Diehard fans of 10mm ammo refused to let it die. They continued to buy the practical and powerful round. The resurgence prompted major gun manufacturers to produce new 10mm handguns.
Today, fans can choose a Glock 20, Glock 29 or Glock 40, a Colt Delta Elite, or one of the new models from CZ, Kimber, Sig Sauer and Rock Island Armory. New guns need ammo.
New production ammo is available from Barnes, Buffalo Bore, CCI, Corbon, Double Tap, Federal, Fiocchi, Hornady, Remington, Sig Sauer, Speer, Underwood, and Winchester.
The most popular types of 10mm ammo use 180 grain and 220 grain bullet weights.
Best 10mm Ammo for Plinking
Armscor: 180 Grain FMJ
This reloadable round was created for military and law enforcement. It has become a favorite with hobbyists and competition shooters.
Specifications:
- 1,150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 529 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
CCI Blazer: 200 Grain FMJ Ammunition
CCI’s 10mm Auto ammunition is a top choice for range training indoors or outdoors. The round was created to be a cheaper alternative to more expensive rounds; the aluminum casing keeps the price low. It also means that it can’t be reloaded.
Specifications:
- 1,050 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 200 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Aluminum Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 490 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Double Tap: 180 Grain Bonded Defense® JHP
This is an excellent round for high volume shots. Doubletap uses high quality components to deliver maximum performance in a 10mm round. The bonded core bullet offers excellent penetration and controlled expansion.
Specifications:
- 1,305 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain Trophy Bonded
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 681 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Federal Ammunition: Hydra-Shok 180 Grain FMJ
Federal has been producing Hydra-Shok since 1989. One of the key benefits of this round is that it won’t over-penetrate in close quarters. It’s a perfect choice for plinking, on the range, and for competition.
Specifications:
- 1,030 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 424 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Federal Ammunition: 180 Grain FMJ
You can never go wrong with Federal Ammo. Slightly more expensive than other brands, this round performs consistently and accurately every time. A great range training ammo.
Specifications:
- 1,030 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 424 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Fiocchi: Defense Dynamics Ammunition 10mm Auto 180 Grain JHP
Fiocchi is known for producing reliable, high quality and consistent handgun ammo. Defense Dynamics 180 Grain JHP is an excellent choice for plinking and target shooting due to its velocity and controlled expansion.
Specifications:
- 1,250 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 624 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Fiocchi: Shooting Dynamics Ammunition 10mm Auto 180 Grain FMJ-TC
Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics ammunition is made for range training and high volume shooting. It is similar to the Exacta line at a more economical price. This 10mm round is new production, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases.
Specifications:
- 1,250 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet – Truncated Cone
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 624 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Hornady Ammunition: 180 Grain XTP
Hornady XTP makes this 180 grain load as a multi-purpose handgun ammo. It’s great for whitetail deer hunting and other small to medium-sized game. This reliable cartridge has excellent expansion, up to 60% of the original diameter.
Specifications:
- 1,200 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain XTP
- Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 650 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Hornady Ammunition: Flexlock Critical Duty 175 Grain FTX
This round is noted as being the most reliable ammo on the market. Critical Duty is the first choice by law enforcement officers in addition to civilians who seek a good all-round 10mm ammunition for plinking, range training, and self-defense.
It has two new features offered by Hornady: A Flex Tip that initiates consistent expansion, and an InterLock band which bonds the jacket and core together to prevent separation.
Specifications:
- 1160 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 175 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Nickel-Plated Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 523 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Inceptor: Preferred Defense Ammunition 10mm Auto 90 Grain ARX Lead-Free
Inceptor ARX is new production. The ARX is made in an injection mold with a blended polymer-metal mix. It is non-expanding. The round will penetrate medium barriers while remaining intact.
Its light weight allows for rapid follow up shots, which makes it ideal for plinking and competitive shooting.
Specifications:
- 1,780 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 90 Grain
- Fluted Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 633 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Magtech: 180 Grain FMJ
Magtech’s answer to the perfect plinking round is their 180 grain auto ammo from the Sport line. The company is known for manufacturing high quality ammunition that offers dependability and precision.
It is often the top choice for plinkers and competitors.
Specifications:
- 1,230 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 605 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Prvi Partizan Ammunition: 170 Grain FPJ
Founded in 1928, Prvi Partizan is a Serbian company that supplies ammunition to the country’s law enforcement and military in addition to the general public across Europe and the U.S.
Their 10mm cartridge is a flat point jacketed bullet, designed to leave clean holes in your targets. The company specializes in using easily reloadable brass casings which enhances its affordability.
Specifications:
- 1,115 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 170 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 469 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
PMC Ammunition: 200 Grain FMJ-TC
This round is surprisingly affordable considering the extra weight. Be prepared for it to pack one serious punch!
Specifications:
- 1,050 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 200 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet – Truncated Cone
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 490 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Remington Ammunition: 180 Grain UMC
Coming in at about the same price as the Prvi Partizan round, Remington UMC 180 grain 10mm ammunition is ideal for the range, offering traditional Remington accuracy and affordability.
Specifications:
- 1,150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Nickel-Plated Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 529 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Sellier & Bellot: 180 Grain FMJ Ammunition
A 180 grain round is average for 10mm auto ammo. This inexpensive training ammo serves as an excellent plinking round due to its reduced recoil. S&B use a copper jacket to reduce fouling; the sloped body and flat nose increase reliability and smooth feeding.
Specifications:
- 1,164 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 543 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Winchester Ammo: 175 Grain Silvertip JHP
Made for Winchester’s Personal Defense line, this Silvertip JHP is an excellent choice for plinking, target shooting and self-defense. The lighter bullet offers less recoil while offering a solid impact.
Specifications:
- 1,200 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 175 Grain
- Silvertip Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 649 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Conclusion
10mm auto ammo is a great round for plinking. It allows the shooter to feel a heavier recoil than a .22LR. There is excellent controlled expansion and a decent range.
The 10mm fires better and has better recovery than a .45 ACP. It also has more power than a .357 Magnum. 10mm rounds are also a good multi-purpose round which makes it economical.