Ammoman sells the Federal for $37 / 50rd. "sleeve" with a 2 sleeve order minimum or $149 / 250rd. that is $74 for 100rd. which is $3.70 for 5rd. bought that way or $596 / 1000 by the 250rd. case ($59.60 / 100 or under $3.00 for 5rd.)
Top quality Buck and slugs are not cheap. Years ago, ordering ten thousand + at a time on government contracts, they still were often over $400 / 1000, so the $3.95 for a single box from a dealer is not outrageous in 2006, and the $2.25 price is excellent.
I have fired and seen fired, thousands of rounds of Federal #00 Tactical. It is a good load and generally patterns tighter in most shotguns. I personally prefer their Premium plated Buck at standard velocities, but the Tactical will get the job done for sure. No experience...yet...with the WW Ranger loads, but I have used mucho standard WW Buck and it all shot just fine.