Actually, I AM reluctant to spend too much money for shooting.
I like the Barnes expanders on deer, and usually buy a pack or two to check my sight-in and deer hunt with. When I shoot for practice I use cheaper bullets and cheaper powder. Still have a few #s of Goex with a $7.95 price tag on it for my sidelock. I also cast my own bullets for the sidelock (Lee REALs) out of free lead I've hoarded over the years. I'm a plumber and when I remove any lead pipe, flashings, or pipe joints I bring them home with me. Probably have 300 - 500 pounds of pure lead piled in the corner of my shop.
Cost to shoot the NewEnglander is more like:
Bullets - $.02 (cost of the mould & electric to heat the lead pot)
Powder - .09
Cap - .03
total -$.14

Didn't mean to sound like I was calling anyone a whiner, I probably whine more & louder when it take 10 or 12 shots with those $1.00/ea bullets to get sighted in.