I think the last ammo I bought was some steel cased 223 that was on sale..it was probably a couple of years ago.
I'm sure it was <$.30/rnd @ the time. I'd never shot any steel cased ammo before, , but decided @ that price , I'd try some.
I'd purchased an inexpensive upper, ( w/ bcg & ch) from a new, local , company called Combat Armory.
They even had free shipping w/ purchase. Before subjecting it to the steel cased stuff, decided to shoot some of my handloads thru it..
I attached the upper to a lower that has my favorite trigger, for the test. It shot the tighest groups that I've shot in any of my other (5) AR's.. measured a 5 shot group @ 50 yds. of just over .350".. I was impressed. Decided I'd wait till I shot it more, before using the steell cased Wolf/Tula I'd bought.
Ended up selling the ammo, after the panic set in.. probably sold it too soon, as I see it now going for $1.00/rnd, or more