It seems like the cost of ammunition for rifles has doubled in the past few years. I’ve heard some people say this is because of the war in Iraq but why would that explain the higher cost of .30-06 or .308 cartridges. Nobody who’s fighting in Iraq is using those calibers right now. What is going on here? Is it the price of brass in general that’s causing it?
Brass (copper and zinc) AND lead are at near-record prices. All metals are super high right now, actually.
But why? Is it because of the war?
Possibly they’re diverting .30-06 or .308 production into 5.56x54?
Less supply, more demand. Prices go up.
It is basically the war.
It’s mostly because of global industrialization. There’s a ton of new manufacturers and there’s a ton of new consumers, especially in Asia. The products they buy and the machines that make those products require metals and they’re buying it up like crazy. Copper is nearly $4/lb!! Lead is nearly a buck a pound, too. You don’t see as many abandoned car batteries around as much lately, do you?
Source: My non-ferrous metals broker friend/former roommate.
I think it is a combination of many reasons.
The war is taking a bite out of ammo availability. Manufacturers are concentrating some production on the military and aren’t able to make as much for civilians.
Metal prices are very high. As jnglmassiv said, that’s not because of the war, it’s because places like China are undergoing a manufacturing boom that requires lots and lots of metal.
Fuel prices. The manufacturers have to transport the raw materials to their factory, make it into bullets, and ship it out.
The economy sucks and everything is expensive.
I’m down with Chris Rock’s $5,000 bullet control. 
Related thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=473114&highlight=ammunition+cost
There has also been some trouble in major mining areas the last few years. The workers got sick of working conditions. The Mexican strike last year.
BTW, the US military uses .308 Winchester (aka 7.62x51mm NATO) in M240Bs, M60s, Miniguns, etc.
FWIW,
Rob
I restore antique brass lamps and the like. The quote I got 2 weeks ago was for $4.05 a pound for scrap brass. Two three years ago I paid around $3.00 a pound to buy new from the mill.
The story I hear from the recycling yards I deal with is it’s all the asian market driving costs up here on this side of the ocean.
Stainless, copper, carbon steel, everything has gone crazy.
just my 2 cents. (heh)