Not to stir up the pot... but I did see a friend get 3 cases ( 1K each )of .223 55gr PMC Bronze for $399.97 each thousand rounds.
I saw the invoice... and promptly looked online....at the time, the going internet price was $800 / 1 thousand rounds.
The friend bought it at the East Coast Dealers cost.
I fully believe there is quite a bit of price gouging going on. Especially via the internet.
Supply and demand.