Efficiency Questions???

[Al Key]

My goal is quality over quantity and I don't want to leave too much good stuff in the pot due to my inefficiency.

Q1) Hypothetically, if two distillers use the same mash reasonably well in similar type stills, say pot still w/thumper, etc., is it possible for one to produce 130 proof out of the worm and the other 160 proof due to small differences in design and procedures or would the output proof be close to the same?

Q2) IF you could tweak your equipment and distillation method to increase the proof out of the worm would the volume decrease proportionately therefore giving you the same quantity after cutting the final proof down to a drinkable 80 proof?

My thinking is that there is only so much alcohol and if it is more concentrated (out of the worm) there will be less volume.