At the Bass Pro store north of Dallas, Texas, I purchased a box of 50 Remington .38 SPL 158gr +P SWCHP for about $30.
Imagine my shock to learn you were asked to pay nearly $56.
I thought $30 was awfully high for a box of 50 but I was on vacation and needed some decent fodder for my S&W 637 2" J-frame.
I've been reloading for nearly 40 years and rarely buy factory ammo, except for rimfires, of course.
Contrary to popular counsel, I also carry my own handloads for self defense.
I don't carry anything beyond what the factories typically offer: no incendiary, poison-gas, mercury-tipped, explosive bullet silliness that can get you in trouble with a jury -- even with a justified shooting.
A lead SWC hollowpoint over X-grains of fast powder works well in my .38 snubnose. It basically duplicates the Remington SWCHP load, but the fast powder gives me a little more velocity from the 2-inch snub.
Ammo prices today. Reminds me of the final words spoken in the classic movie, "Bridge Over the River Kwai" ...
"Madness! Madnessssss!"