It must have seemed like a good idea at the time. But for two mates, it led only to trouble with the law - and a massive pain in the butt.

On Sunday evening, the 34-year-old men were sharing a few beers when they thought it would be interesting to shoot each other with an air rifle to see if it would hurt, or if the slugs would penetrate their skin.

Sergeant Brendan Khan from Horsham Police said the the two men took it in turns to shoot one another in the buttocks and leg.

Other than experiencing a bit of pain, the two men, who live at the base of the Grampians, thought they were fine.