When I started shooting in the mid-1950's, a box of .22 shorts was 49 cents, a box of longs was 59 cents, and a box of long rifles was 69 cents. That was for Peters brand which was the cheapest the drug store sold. I always bought two boxes of shorts and had 2 cents left over. There was no sales tax. If the store was out of Peters, you might have to pay 10 cents more. So long rifles could cost you 79 cents. Back in the 1980's into the early ninetys you could still buy .22 long rifle in the bulk packs for the equivalent of 79 cents for fifty rounds. So the price remained stable for about 35 years - amazing. A few years ago I had my wife pick up a box of .22 shorts for me. I was amazed again when she said they cost over six bucks. I was at a gun show Sunday where they were asking $75 for a bulk pack. Amazed again.