Eley and Lapua are pushing each other in R&D while they compete for the benchrest market. Still, the answer to the question is always the same: You won't know until you test the particular lot in your rifle. If the change in "consistency" came with a change in lot numbers it's to be expected. I once bought a case of Eley EPS more or less on a whim. It was a "fast" lot, marked 1154 fps. Ran some through the Finnfire which seemed to shoot almost everything well and the accuracy was unacceptable. Thought of selling it but held on until I got a 1712 and the same ammo makes lovely, tiny, round groups at 100. We're testing lots and not just brands.