look for reloads. .45 is $18 a 50 rd box for the cheapest russian target ammo
A couple weeks ago a picked up a Remington UMC Mega Pack (250 rounds) at Gander mountain for $79.
Both of those are brass cased, seem to shoot well through my 1911.
If you shop around you can do a little better that $18. Not much though! Makes me wish I had got more last year. Good luck.
-paridel