Didn't know that. I've read a few of his books and hit his blog every week or so. He wrote an excellent defense of gun rights after Sandy Hook that put him in my radar.
Larry Correia is a sci-fi author who is also a firearms instructor. He gives an interview on the use of guns in fiction
http://ryanlanz.com/2014/12/13/guns-in-fiction-with-larry-correia/
Interview:
Ryan: What are the common pitfalls in fiction where it’s clear that the author has never held...
I've read quite a few Reacher novels, and they are chocked full of things like this. Some of the "cultural" observances are way off and quite funny. I blame the authors Englishness for much of it. I did enjoy the movie being cast with 5'5" Tom Cruise because the author beats you over the head...
I can make a quality 55gr cartridge for about 15¢ if I buy some dirty brass. Hornady bullets can be had for less than 7¢ shipped and at least two companies are making a profit.
We seem to have a lot more competition than we did just a few years ago. All the options we have from quality, large scale reloaders is helping to lower the prices.
Commodity costs matter, but I doubt it makes much difference in the final price. Pre-Sandy hook ammo prices were pretty low but scrap copper was going for well over $3/lb. Margins might increase but the supply/demand curve still rules.
http://warisboring.com/articles/the-baker-rifle-transformed-soldiers-into-long-distance-killers/
I'm assuming the author calls it the rifle that changed the world, because earlier ones were handmade. Timothy Murphy helped win the battle of Saratoga by killing General Fraser from 300 yards away...