"About the only thing we can do is bend over and take it."

Spoken like a model "screw-ee!" This attitude is what the "screw-ers" love to hear.

"I think we are being SCREWED!!! What can we do about it???"

I agree with your hypothesis. A price increase due to metal prices and transportation costs (ie, oil pricces) would pretty much cause a relatively uniform increase in the price of all ammo, not just that which is loaded with premium components.

We ARE being screwed, and just as with gasoline prices, you can bitch all you want, BUT our only weapon is to reduce demand. IF we keep buying at the present rate, nothing will change. IF we cut down on the amount we buy, and the ammo starts clogging up the distribution system, prices will drop.

I say stop buying factory ammo. Eithershoot less, or reload your brass- and use cast bullets wherever possible!