Mike,
Everyone's experience is what it is. Recently, The CF Smith I use sent a newly chambered barrel to a shooting friend. The barrel was shipped in a thick tube with wooden ends stapled closed and taped. The tube arrived opened and empty. I know of a rifle that was shipped recently and arrived with a broken stock, it having been shipped in a hard case and proper packaging. I could go on.
I don't see any good reason for the shipping rates of UPS or any of the other to increase so far beyond that of other things we buy except we pay them. Well, I don't pay UPS if I can help it. Most often now when one buys a small item, the shipping is as much and sometimes more than the item itself. Should we quit buying things from Vendors? I think twice or more now about what I use to do freely, buy small things often from either big vendors or small makers trying to get a start. It wasn't that long ago one could often get free shipping from the Shooting Supply vendors. In my opinion, the cost of Shipping is hurting everyone, especially the "Small Guy" and I refuse to acept it as being acceptable. I am quite sure I am not the only person in this mind set.
I must admit, I am ignorant regarding the Hazmat Charge. I don't know who receives the money for it. I have believed that UPS did but I don't know who does. If they do receive the money, they don't have to charge it as there is nothing different in the way they handle that merchandise, from what I have seen. Because they were the first to charge it, in my experience, I have always believed it was they who benefited from it.
Pete
We seem to be at odds on a number of things, which I don't mind. I think people having different views of anything and discussing them is healthy and a good thing. If everybody agreed on everything life would be very boring, for me at least.