I remember when I purchased my first rifle with my own money (at 16). It was a Savage Model 99-E in .308 Caliber. At the time the shop had open like 5 gallon tins of loose .308 military hardball ammo selling for 3 cents apiece. That was when they were switching over from the M14icon to the M16. Those days are long gone, and so is the ammo. Just not enough demand, so prices go up. You will always be able to get the ammo, but you might have to sell the kids to afford it. Especially 30 Cal carbine.