Is the shooting experience being priced into Elitism?

[mgmorden]

Since minimum wage has almost quadrupled since 1974 a Colt AR should be selling for $2800-$3200 if it were keeping pace.

Sorry, but you are confusing increases in minimum wage with inflation - the two are not the same and cannot be compared to each other. use one of the inflation calculators found on the web for a better comparison

Even if you use an inflation calculator, he's not that far off.

$700-800 in 1974 dollars becomes $3060 - $3497 in 2010 dollars (which is as high as the inflation calculator went).

 

[ntex2000]

Yes, there is cheap ammo out there like Silver Bear and TulAmmo, but you get what you pay for because the groups they shoot are about 4 times larger than quality ammo. I'm talking about $6 to $8 a box for .308. American Eagle .308 is about $12 and it's okay, but the higher quality .308 at $30 a box is ridiculous, because even this higher quality ammo won't print groups better than what you can load your own, even if you use the lower cost components. I started reloading 300 RUM for my brother because a box of 20 was costing him almost $60.

At one time I heard there is a federal tax built in to each box of ammo which causes the price to be higher. Anyone know if this is true?

 

[JohnBT]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittman-Robertson_Federal_Aid_in_Wildlife_Restoration_Act

The Pittman-Roberstson act of 1937 places an 11% tax on guns and ammo. For instance, if you purchase all the parts for a custom gunsmith to build you a gun, there's an 11% tax on the firearm you had built. And then maybe you will pay sales tax.

"Plans for what to do with the money must be submitted to and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.[6] Acceptable options include research, surveys, management of wildlife and/or habitat and acquisition or lease of land, among other things"

It's not all spent on hunting and target shooting. You could say we are paying for some things for the canoe paddlers and bird watchers to use.