Baxter (left) and Gault (right) enjoyed success once again

Gault and Nick Baxter followed bronze in the 50m pistol pairs with silver in the 10m, breaking Malcolm Cooper's record for shooting medals

But Gault failed to break Pickering's total in the 25m standard pistol pairs.

Elsewhere there were golds for England in the Men's 50m rifle prone pairs and Scotland in the women's competition.

Gault was "absolutely elated" to have equalled Pickering's record and now wants to go on and beat it.

It's down to me to beat the record now - I've still got a few chances left to do it Mick Gault

"I'm very pleased to have medalled here today, and especially on Nick's birthday," he said.

"We were so close to the gold - only two points away - but we both shot to the best of our ability.

"It just wasn't quite good enough on the day. "I'm not quite sure how I feel about the record. It's down to me to beat it now - I've still got a few chances left to do it."

Baxter added: "It's just brilliant. This is what it's all about - we're here as sportsmen to win medals.

"The fact it's my birthday makes it all the better. It feels really special."

In the 10m air pistol pairs Indian pair Vivek Singh and Samaresh Jung edged Gault and Baxter for gold by just two points, with a winning score of 1154.

Full Melbourne results

Australia's David Moore and Daniel Repacholi finished in third place.

Scotland's David Lewis and Alan Ritchie came eighth, with Alan Green and Ian Harris of Wales in 12th, one place ahead of Jersey duo Michael Quenault and David Ward.

Gault was looking for a record-breaking 14th Commonwealth medal in the 25m standard pistol pairs alongside Simon Lucas, but the English duo could only manage fifth place in qualifying.

Mike Babb and Chris Hector led a home nations 1-2-3 in the men's 50m rifle prone pairs, with a score of 1182.

Shooting guide: Pistol

Scotland's Martin Sinclair and Neil Stirton came second, with Gruffudd Morgan and David Phelps of Wales in third.

The Scots won gold in the women's event, through Susan Jackson and Sheena Sharp, ahead of England's Sharon Lee and Helen Spittles, with Juliet Etherington and Kathryn Mead of New Zealand third.