S. Sumner - maybe it is just 'supply and demand'. After all, there is a war goin' on and the war machine turns out one hay of a lot of boolets and bombs - probably squeezes the smaller manufacturers to increase their prices which are passed off to the customer.
I don't think it's a trend (as in commie/dumbocrat/librul plot), just supply side economics.
I think once we begin pulling our troops home in greater numbers and begin winding down the onslaught in the middle east, we're gonna see a lot of surpluses. I would imagine 5.56, 7.62 and 9mm, not to mention who knows what. JMHO though. Mikey.