Words well put Fox, the reality is the limits and how hard they can be pushed with some type of repeatability. It always looks easy and achievable in the videos on the webs but to do it at any given time under pressure and a time restraint is what pushes the shooting industry to preform and exceed as to what most folks say can't be done. The trickle effect benefits everyone in time.
Also dollar signs always appear that folks tend to assume is the real deal. The cost of a high quality ELR rig being built by a smith that has done many in this category is not as far out of touch to some of the high end hunting rifles and sport shotguns. Brass is a component that if of good quality and the reloader knows what he's doing can last a dozen or more firings. Powder is powder and is like gassing up the car I look at bullet and primer cost and when purchased right in my case with a 416 wildcat is $3.65 a round.
Barrel wear figured in to the cost of a round is debatable as well this would be like trying to compare street rods that some folks smoke the heck out of their tires every time it comes out of the garage and some maybe just here and there. If a person has a over bored hot rod of a rifle it can all matter on how hard he has to push it at the many shooting event that are available today. Shooting at a gun range versus having to heat her up with out a choice makes a difference.
This isn't taking anything away from any of the light classes or smaller calibers and the fun that goes with it, I think the original focus here is the efforts on pushing the extended limits that benefit everyone at the end of the day.
Keep up the good work Fox and Swamp
I am osoh
JHeeg