US Shooters Hit By Soaring Bullet Prices

Gun users across the US are having to tighten their ammo belts as bullet prices soar, Reuters reports. Sky-high worldwide demand for copper, lead and zinc means the price of most bullets has shot up two to three times in the last couple of years. Add to that competition for ammo from the US military, engaged in two wars. Budget-conscious shooters are having to bargain hunt, reload less often, and reuse old casings.

Manufacturers may soon try making ammo out of something cheaper. "High cost drives innovation," said one gun shop owner. "There has been some interest in plastic or aluminum cartridge cases in the past, so I'm hopeful they will come up with something."  (More guns stories.)