I don't think that this explains the increases and disappearances that I've witnessed in the last 2 years. Where has the 308 surplus gone? What happened to Wolf 7.62x54r 200gr soft points that were 25 cents per round? What happened to 8 cent/round 8mm surplus? What happened to 10 cent/round 9mm surplus? What happened to $100/case of Wolf 7.62x39? What happened to 30 cents/round Swiss 7.5x55?
I think it is a combination of many factors, mainly the devaluation of the US dollar relative to other currencies, increased demand for raw goods (copper) from emerging economies (China), and UN weapons/ammo treaties that prevent surplus ammo exports.