Well, I finally got through to an individual at EnvironMetal that I have talked w/ for several years. On the condition of anonymity and "off the record", I gleaned the following information from our conversation. They wouldn't admit that the "new" 12 gauge shells have been changed component wise from those offered last year. However, they did say that as a manufacturer they don't manufacture the components used in their shells and have no control over slight changes made by their suppliers, but that the shells made in 2011 are within the quality control and performance specifications which they have established for the Hevi-13 line of products.
It was pointed out that the vast majority of shooters are getting better results w/ their product than any other "factory" offering and are very satisfied w/ the performance. All questions concerning the measured drop in performance relative to lot #'s were side-stepped w/ "We haven't seen any change." As a small company I think that they are somewhat hamstrung by suppliers and are forced to make due w/ what they can get component wise. In their defense, Federal has dug themselves a ditch w/ the flitecontrol fiasco, has a lot more R&D and control over the manufacture of components, and still won't budge or admit their products faults
