Is it safe to assume that you could go to local stores and buy shotgun shells individually? I could walk in the local store and request shells and get them put on my parent's charge account. That was when I was 10-13 years old. That was routine where I grew up. 16ga was very common in my area then. Lots of 16 gauge bolt actions were around.
I never did, that I can remember. My Dad owned and operated a huge country store near our house. I got my shells for free as long as he didn't think I was wasting them. The one exception was when I started "market hunting" squirrels and rabbits. He told me if I was selling for a profit I could buy my own shells and cartridges.
I'm sure he sold a few shells individually, such as buckshot, or slugs. But, most everyone would buy at least one box, even the poorer hunters in our area.
