TWO Victorian men required surgery to remove slug pellets from their backsides after playfully shooting each other with an air rifle to see whether it would hurt.

The 34-year-old mates were enjoying a Sunday afternoon beer drinking session when they decided to shoot one another with an air rifle to see whether it would penetrate their skin or cause pain, Victoria Police said.

The men, from the Grampians region in Victoria's west, took it in turns to shoot each other in the backside and the leg about 5.30pm (AEST) on Sunday.

They thought they were fine but were admitted to hospital two days later requiring surgery to remove slug pellets from their rear ends and legs, police said.

The men will be interviewed by police at a later date when their medical condition improves, police said.

One man will have his firearm licence withdrawn and his firearms confiscated after the incident.