ORIGINAL: eldeguello
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.
I say stop buying factory ammo. Eithershoot less, or reload your brass- and use cast bullets wherever possible!
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY. HOWEVER ELDEQUELLO PUT IT MUCH MORE ELEGANTLY.
I worked in the hunting industry for years. And the company I worked for was the largest ammunition distributor in the world. And I can say with 100% confidence that the retail price of premium ammo is not based on the cost to manufacture. It is based solely on what they think they can get.
I remember when Winchester "Supreme" ammo came out. The mfr. was giving sales incentives of close to $1.00 a box for every box I sold. At the same time if I sold a box of SuperX I made $.06---yes 6 cents. IWOULD REALLY LIKE SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS AMMUNITION COSTS MORE TO MFR. OH YA THE BRASS WAS MORE SHINY!!
Why do you think the mfrs. are so excited about all the new cartridges?? The 17HMR is a 22 magnum case!! The 17 caliber bullet weighs less-so it has less raw materials. But yet the ammo sold at a premium of 65% over 22 magnum ammo. Give me a break. THE 17HMR IS THE BIGGEST GIMMICK THE SHOOTING INDUSTRY HAS HAD IN A LONG TIME. Tom.