Trust me, if Denny's guesses on the numbers are anywhere near accurate anyone in the business would be all over this market in a heartbeat.
exactly .... and note how many 'in the business' are all over it

the cost is more likely that they're making correct cores special [or having them made] rather than putting ridiculous markups on shelf stock - if the core material was readily available, my local rad shop [a very old and capable outfit] wouldn't be telling me it isn't
Bill