I always tried to buy in bulk, new Norinco 7.62X39 was roughly $80/$90 for 1200 rds and new Norinco 223 (brass case, boxer primed) was around $160 a 1000. After the ban on Chinese stuff in 93 the Russians stepped into the new ammo market and you could still get 7.62X39 for @ $80 a 1000. Surplus was even cheaper till the 7.62X39 surplus was banned from import due to steel cored bullets. There was a lot of surplus 308 around, I think it was selling for 20 to 25 cents a round in case quantities (new 308 was @ 35 cents a round). Gun shows were great places to shop then, lots of surplus and new ammo, the economy was good and prices were genuinely cheap especially in the military calibers. Sadly those days seem to be gone forever!