Metal prices have gone up with China's demand but compared with the price of loaded NE cartridges, $2 a bullet is not that much.

Practice on the other hand can be a two-edged sword. We use heavy-kicking calibres because we want to or have a need, but it may not be good for us. I seem to recall that some research found the average bod can't handle more than the .30/06 without developing a flinch. Yes, the old-timers used whoppers but may not have practised much. Recoil was probably not a problem with an elephant at seven yards or a tiger on the head of the one you rode (as the dude is quoted hereabouts).

A few subloads, maybe, a bit of practice with my double shotgun, but I won't be putting 500 store-bought slugs through the db rifle I take to Africa. As I discovered when shooting farmed pheasants a few years ago, the hip-pocket nerve really can make you flinch after a while. But it's not only the cost of ammo I would be worried about. Double rifles can make a good investment, but not if you wear them out.