We have had it good, as far as ammo costs in my lifetime. The examples I can remember are W-W AA's and cheap .22's. AA's were about $100 a case(500 rds) 30 years ago, and have only really went above that, in the past year. Also 30 years ago, a carton of cheap .22's would be on sale at $7.99, and I know a year ago we could buy bulk 550 rd. packages for $8.99. We can, and will, still complain though, anytime we have to shoot less, for our dollar!
Here are a couple examples from an 1895 Montgomery Ward catalog:
3dr. 1 1/8 #8 black powder load $1.23/100
Trap Grade smokeless loads, $3.40/100 (charge not listed)
G grade LeFever $42.50
G grade Parker $57.00
Diamond Daly $210.00
