Back in the 80's the gun was more expensive 1.75"-2.5" groups would kill deer all day long. a couple 20 round boxes would last over 3 years in the old 30-30..and that is all that was ever needed.
Chasing that one hole group or sub moa groups begins to cost...I probably have 2000 in components to make ammo.
That is a drop in the bucket for most handloaders..My guns were cheap compared to that.
I hear what you are saying about the group size swampratt except it's just the opposite for me. When I was younger I spent lots of dollars trying to get that really tight group. Now that I'm old, I really don't care as long as it will hit a deer in the shoulders. For the record I vote something to shoot them with since I don't buy ammo anymore.
Ain't that the truth. I went through about 200 rounds breaking in the new .22 upper and thought heh it's on .22 that stuff's cheap. . . Well it was when I bought it anyway now i't almost as much as my 5.56 ammo. Difference is I still have a whole lot more .22 ammo than centerfire ammo.