Inconsistencies in ammo pricing from various sources

[.455_Hunter]

THIS IS NOT A GENERAL AMMO COMPLAINT THREAD!

Right now, ammoseek is showing 9mm at a minimum of approximately $0.60 per round for brass case. SGAmmo is listing brass case for about $0.70 cheapest rate. Many LGS are well stocked at $0.80 per round. One would think that this is the nominal going rate for ammo.

HOWEVER, when one is fortunate enough to catch some FMJ 9mm brass case on the shelf of a big box (like Sportmans or Cabelas) or even Midwayusa, the price can range from $0.24 to $0.36 per round.

What is the story?

It is not surprising to expect a price increase due to COVID and manufacturing bottlenecks, but what is that REAL number?

Have wholesale prices jumped 25-50% or have they jumped 200%?

How can the big boxes sell newly produced and received ammo at only a mild mark-up if the true price is much higher? Pre-existing delivery contracts with locked-in cost and quantity from manufacturers?

If the true wholesale price is only inflated 25 - 50%, where is the extra profit being taken? Distributors? I don't think its the LGS- they are paying through the nose too.

Just saying its "supply and demand" does not explain the above. It almost seems there are two different pricing realities co-existing right now.