Summer is great for backyard plinking and Mat Manning explains how to keep your garden target practice safe as well as challenging
Shooting an air rifle in the back garden
Airguns provide a terrific introduction to the world of shooting, not only because of their affordability but also because of their versatility. Being relatively low powered, legal-limit air rifles can safely be used in a modestly sized garden, and plinking an air rifle in the back garden is an enjoyable pastime. (Read our guide to the best air rifle pellets.)
Setting up a range
With a little forethought and preparation, you can set up a garden range that will provide hours of entertainment and useful practice. (Read the best air rifles for garden plinking.)
Having a garden range is incredibly handy, not only for recreational shooting but also for setting up and testing equipment. Being able to experiment with different ammunition and check zero in the backyard is so much more convenient than driving to the local club range. I often shoot a few pellets at targets in the garden simply to ensure that everything is working as it should be before I head out to address live quarry. (Want to know how to zero your rifle?)
If you only have a fairly small…
