RE: why is weatherby ammo so expensive?
Other manufacturers do make ammo but its the caliber that makes things difficult. Most make the 300 WBY but not many make the 340 or 7 mm. Something to keep in mind if your buying a weatherby. You can save a few bucks if you already handload, I don't and the ammo up here is almost $50 US. What I don't understand and it may be pure marketing, is the ballistics for Weatherby/Norma manufactured ammo is better than ammo manufactured by companies like Federal or Remington. Your best bet for ammo is Federal. I believe they make 340 Wby also.
Goodluck,