GA Arms also has lead loaded 'cowboy' ammo that is a bit cheaper than their excellent PD 200gr GD's. I did use the Blazer versions exclusively in my 296 - probably over 1,000 thus far. Last winter found one of those Blazer Al cases split over it's central third of it's length in my SS 696, making removal difficult. I only load my reloads - with that same Speer 200gr GD (#4427) - for range visits, saving the GA Arms ammo for PD loads.
If you are shooting a SS cylindered revolver, the less expensive Blazers should be okay - and, the Academy Sports chains here in C.A. (central Alabama) have them for $12.99/50. I have chrono-ed them, my loads, and the GA Arms ammo, all with that same Speer #4427 GDJHP, at 800-810 fps from my 2.5" 296, 830-845 fps from my 3" 696, and 870-880 fps from my 4" 629MG... and not much more from my 6.5" 24's. Speer claims efficient opening of that bullet by 800fps.
Obviously, reloading is the answer. I determined it was the only economical answer two years ago when I counted the .45 Colt brass I had amassed - most from GA Arms - I had >2,700 empties from years of plinking - what a fortune! Sight unseen, I ordered a Dillon 550B to reload .45 Colt... and, several days later, I 'touched' my first reloading press. Tens of thousands of rounds of homebrew later, now making everything from 7.62 Nagant to .454 Casull, I have a new hobby! In fact, the only thing I bought at that AGCA show Saturday in Birmingham was .44 Special lead - from GA Arms. At $30/900 240gr LSWC's, ~$15.50/1,000 Federal LP primers, and ~$14/lb (7,000gr) of TiteGroup, the cost works out to ~$.06/round - plus the case. Add $.14 for new Starline brass - which will last through thirty plus reloads at my levels, and you are up to $20/100 for the first 100... reloadable at $6/100 thereafter. Plus... try to find .44 Special ammo...
That is the rationalization I used for starting reloading in .45 Colt... which, as I said, has spread. Bored after taking the garbage out this AM, I made ~40 .44 Russians (Try to find them!). Now I shoot to have something to reload... be forewarned...
Stainz