Was in Columbus OH last week and stopped by the new Cabelas to nose around. They had 556 55 gr FMJ for 60 cents a round. Being the tight wad I am didn't buy any. Wound up paying 65 cents around this morning and could only buy 3 boxes of 20....live and learn
If you need it you have to buy it as you find it. This may be the new price on .223 for some time. It is better than $1.00 a round they were selling for.
The last two shows up north, Ft. Wayne and Michigan City, you could buy brass .223 (PMC & Federal) for .50 a round. ZX Guns had cases of it for that price at both of these shows.