Why are 7.62 rounds so much more than .223/5.56 rounds?

[indetrucks]

Just wondering..
The 7.62 rounds has much more stopping power so technically wouldn't that mean more material which then = More material cost?

I'm kind of a noob to this so thought I'd ask..

*correction on the Title.. I meant why are .223/5.56 rounds soo much more money than the 7.62.. Sorry

[grammaton76]

I'm not sure, but I do know there's no cheap source of 7.62 123gr projectiles (which is what most 7.62x39mm ammo uses). I reload the stuff, but the best I can do is keep it around the same price as Cheetah used to be. :(

Before it starts up - no, Wolf folks, I can't use Wolf at my range if I don't want to get myself banned.

[tteng]

7.62x51Nato (or 308 Winchester) is .308" bullet diameter
7.62x39 is .311"(or .312") bullet diameter, same as 7.62x54Russian.