I just got back from the SHOT Show in Las Vegas and had a long conversation with Gilbert Berry about prices. He told me he's paying $1.40 a pound for virgin lead, and shops 4 different lead suppliers all the time to get the best price. Two years ago, he was paying 35 cents a pound for lead. Copper is currently costing him $4.60 a pound, and all prices are going up constantly. Then he has to pay the labor for converting the raw materials into bullets, along with the costs of the machinery, plus packaging, etc. He's not making much on the bullets at the current time.
I have a wholesale account with Berry's, and I did place a large order with them, as a hedge against future price increases. One of the bullets I ordered was the 185 grain HBWC, since I've had such good luck with it in my 1911's and Springfield XD. I also have great luck with their 9mm bullets, but I only shoot the 115 grain in 9mm, and reserve all the 124 grain bullets for 357 Sig loading.
Last spring, I placed an order for 40,000 .38 bullets from a local casting company and paid $38.00 per thousand. The current price from the same supplier is $87.50 per thousand. I would suggest that if you find some reasonably priced bullets, that you buy all you can afford.
Hope this helps.
Fred
