even 5.56 has gone through the roof around here if you find a box in a gun store. I was at a local hardware store last week to get a band for my wood stove. they sell more guns than any shop here in wisconsin. they had about 5 boxes of 223 on the shelf priced at 24.00 for 20 rounds. glad i don't need any...they have never run out of ammo,even when 22lr was scarce 8 years ago they always had plenty.and cheap prices. they had pretty much nothing in stock, even the 22lr was gone. my wife has asked me for years,,why do you keep buying ammo??are you wierd or something?? well now she knows why.