Federal HWT 3" #7 faulty lot from a while ago?

[Hubertus]

I have some Federal Heavyweight 20 gauge 3" #7 that i purchased in the last couple of years with lot numbers 5U..., 5V..., and 5Q...  Life happened and I didn't get around to patterning/hunting with them.  Now someone told me there may have been a problem with one of those lots that Federal supposedly loaded #6 instead of #7 shot...can someone confirm this?  I've searched the forum but did not come across anything.  Greatly appreciate your input!

[yella yelper]

You are correct, they did screw some up. However, I can't provide you those lot numbers to verify your shells. It did happen though.

[Greg Massey]

Tell me why lot's numbers are so important on shell's.. I see people chat about this but why ?   Can you shot the difference in one shell from one lot or the other...

[yella yelper]

You can tell the difference if one lot of "#7" is loaded with 6 shot and the next lot is loaded correctly with 7 shot. This is part of the reason I started loading my own. I don't think it's as big of a deal as some make of it but you can occasionally tell differences such as if the producer switches wad from one year to the next, etc. I have enough components to make 250 loads myself. We may be killing turkeys with lasers by the time we shoot all those up

[Hubertus]

Thanks for the input.  I called Federal too today but they weren't any help really. I can send them the shells and they would "look at" them.  I suppose in the greater scheme of  things it ain't a huge deal...just wanted to avoid the #6 if i could.  Thanks again.