What follows isn't really shooting related, but the thread got started here. Those of who want to skip it, feel free.
Since the thermometer was going to 100+ today, I figured I'd not get any meaningful load info for the new rifles -- at least, not Pennsylvania meaningful. So, I stayed home & did some mowing. Hey, it's not as easy as it sounds.
The battery in the tractor won't hold a charge for more than a few hours, so I have to put it on the charger when I'm going to mow. I'm too cheap to buy a new battery as long as the old one can be made to work with a couple hours charging. Now, the tractor sits in an outbuilding without power. The only outbuilding that has power also has the best roof, so my wife insists that's what we use for storing all the stuff we'll never use again in our lifetimes. So I have to put on tick & chigger repellent, walk way out to the building, pull the battery & carry it back to the nearest outlet, then hook up the charger.
Did that; now it's 10:30 & getting hot. I decide I'll only mow the strip out by the street that the neighbors can see. And what the hell, I'll hit the spot we can see when looking out the kitchen window.
By the time I'm done, I'm pretty thirsty. In such a case, my wife always likes gin & tonic. Well, I don't drink much, but the thought kept running through my head. . . I rummage around in the cabinet we keep the booze for when people visit. There is a new bottle of gin; I won't open that. And another, a real old one. Pour the gin & tonic water together . . .
Ack! ma gin gone bad!
* * *
I should have gone to the range. In looking over the relays for Match 4 (when Ed set his new record), it was pretty clear that if you draw bench one, you aren't likely to get four good targets. Maybe not even one good target. But what will I say if I don't draw bench one? You have to have your excuses prepared, you know. Shooters are way to sophisticated to take just any lame excuse. Now if I'd done my load development for the new rifles in 100-degree weather, that would do it. Guess I'll just have to wait for another hot day.