Back in the days before Protoboards (which I think are what you are referring to as breadboards), I used to "breadboard" high frequency circuits on single-sided copper clad. I laid out the circuit on 0.1" grid vellum, drilled all necessary holes, then cut pads with an annular cutter called a Roto-Bor. Later I used Vector pad cutters, which you could (and probably still can) buy with or without a handle. The one without the handle worked well in a drill press if you had one that would run at low speed. It had a tendency to occasionally pull the pad off the board. I see that they are now charging over $60 US for them. What a ripoff!
I have bought (at Fry's) double-sided material with plated-through holes on a 0.1" grid, with ground plane on one side. A couple years ago it was about $120 for about 1 sq ft, but you can cut it up and make a lot of little circuits, so I think it's worth it.