I can get USDA Choice packers at the commissary or Costco for somewhere between $2.75 and $3.50 a pound most of the time. I tend not to mess with them if they're over $3 since there's only about a 50% yield after trimming and smoking (making the cooked cost over $6/lb.).
If you're interested in making corned beef, I'm in the middle of an experiment using silverside (bottom round) like they do in the UK & Australia. Raw cost is about 25-50¢ more than brisket but there's a whole lot less waste. Got it in the sous vide bath now and will try it side-by-side tonight with the last of my last brisket version. Results (if not photos) to follow.
