I bought 1000 pounds of wheel weights off of craigslist for .45$ a pound, promo from Powder Valley for 11$ a pound, 10k Tula primers from Powder Valley for 12$ per K, and 5000 45 acp once fired cases for 45$ per k. right after reloading supplies started coming back after the first Obama scare. I cast my own bullets with a 6 banger mold and load on a Hornady LNL with a bullet feeder. I shoot my 45 as much as I want. Still possible to buy components at slightly higher prices. Just have to keep an eye out for when it's in stock.

When I first started casting a lot of my friends thought I was nuts. Kept telling me about how I was going to ruin my pistol. Now they don't shoot because they don't want to pay the extra cost. I guess they were half right. I'm wearing out my pistol quicker than they are.

Even if you cant or wont reload. Budgeting 100 to 300 a month for ammo should still allow some good shooting to happen. As long as you are employed. The 90s spoiled a lot of us. If you look at ammo prices in the 70s it will surprise you.