The boys were shooting the weapon out of the conservatory into the garden at targets such as bottles.
Beechy accidentally pulled the trigger when he was trying to put the safety catch on the air rifle while it was pointed towards Bell’s head.
Connor, from Tadley, Hampshire, was taken to Southampton general hospital but he died two days later from a “severe brain injury”.
The inquest at Winchester coroner’s court that the crank air rifle was stored under stairs in the home of Connor’s friend Joshua Brown, now 18.
Paying tribute at his son at inquest, Robert Bell said: “He was cheeky and mischievous but so kind and caring. He never took himself too seriously and had a wicked sense of humour.
“He also enjoyed a variety of sports, especially football. Often the driving force in his friends, out to play football or do stuff together.
He was doing sports course at college and he had done a work placement at our local leisure centre in Tadley the manager said as soon as he has got his certificate come back to us.
Brown gave evidence at inquest saying his father had shown him how to use the gun on two occasions.
When asked if he thought putting gun away after shooting in garden before his friends came they said “I wanted my friends use it just thought it would be fun.
The inquest was told Beechy was arrested after the accidental shooting but no further action taken.
Beechy gave evidence he was drinking cider and vodka at party and “a little bit drunk”.
Hampshire area coroner Jason Pegg ruled Connor’s cause of death as gunshot wound to the head and he died from cardiac arrest from a brain injury. He concluded that it was an accident.
Pegg said: “Connor was just 17 years of age at his death. Quite clear to me having from [his family] he was a son, grandson and a friend.
“He was young man who had aspirations in the physical fitness field and planned life ahead of him.
“He was full of life and had a cheeky side and had much to live for.”
He added: “This demonstrates the real risk when you have group of young people drinking alcohol. Deeply tragic case.”