Bonanza dies?
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rockquarry
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The only Bonanza dies I've used have been older ones; very good quality.
wheelgun28
Member
Are they carbide or steel?
Bonanza was quality stuff, what do they offer new today?
Bonanza was quality stuff, what do they offer new today?
ACORN
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They were either bought or merged with Forster. Good stuff!!
Just another 22 shooter
Member
As long as the dies have been kept from rusting, I consider Bonanza dies as top notch. I started my reloading life in the early 70s with a Bonanza Coax press(still using it) and dies.
I'm not sure if they offered carbide dies or not back then.
My 38-357 dies are not carbide.
I'm not sure if they offered carbide dies or not back then.
My 38-357 dies are not carbide.
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gwpercle
Member
Bonanza Dies are better than average , well made and well finished .
In the early 70's (1972 Handloaders Digest) the prices for standard 3 die (steel) sets :
RCBS - $28.50
Bonanza - $26.50
Lyman , Pacific , CH and three or four others - $14.00
Herters World Famous - $6.89
So you see most of the average dies sold for $13.00 - $14.00 a set, RCBS and Bonanza sold for twice that price and Herter's sold for 1/2 the average .
Once on Ebay bidders ran the price of a set of used RCBS 41 magnum dies up to then over the cost of a new set...a set of Bonanza...I was the only person to put a bid on them ...$6.00 got them and they were brand new old stock , never used ... But I was aware of Bonanza's quality.
If you get a chance to get a set of Bonanza ...grab them , nice dies...very nice dies !
Gary
In the early 70's (1972 Handloaders Digest) the prices for standard 3 die (steel) sets :
RCBS - $28.50
Bonanza - $26.50
Lyman , Pacific , CH and three or four others - $14.00
Herters World Famous - $6.89
So you see most of the average dies sold for $13.00 - $14.00 a set, RCBS and Bonanza sold for twice that price and Herter's sold for 1/2 the average .
Once on Ebay bidders ran the price of a set of used RCBS 41 magnum dies up to then over the cost of a new set...a set of Bonanza...I was the only person to put a bid on them ...$6.00 got them and they were brand new old stock , never used ... But I was aware of Bonanza's quality.
If you get a chance to get a set of Bonanza ...grab them , nice dies...very nice dies !
Gary
I thought that the Bonanza series died back in the late 70's. Or are you guys talking the re-runs which may still be on the tube. Loved ol Dan's 10 gallon hat
In dies Lee has got to be close to bottom of the barrel. You get what you pay for. The Hornady New Dimension seating die is junk too. I had over 120 sets of dies until recently and never had any problems with the name brand dies or even Herters. It use to be if you put out junk you wouldn’t be in business long. Loading tools are just like guns. You are better off buying good stuff once. Some of the dies I have are 75 yrs old and kept clean look like new. Untold thousands of rounds have been through some, others are barely used.
gwpercle
Member
Even though Herter's dies were the "value" brand of the day ... they were actually pretty good . I'm not sure who made them but I like the fact they were chrome plated on the outside and didn't rust at a sideways glance . No internet back then .... if your town didn't have a gun & reloading shop then the Big yellow & red Herter's Catalog and the postman was your supply line .
Prices were about 1/2 what a retail shop charged ... So a lot of my reloading gear and especially (Bullet Moulds) are from Herter's ...and been in service for 50 years .
So if you see something marked Herter's ...take a longer look , it might be a good deal . Some of the Herter Presses go for big bucks .
Gary
Prices were about 1/2 what a retail shop charged ... So a lot of my reloading gear and especially (Bullet Moulds) are from Herter's ...and been in service for 50 years .
So if you see something marked Herter's ...take a longer look , it might be a good deal . Some of the Herter Presses go for big bucks .
Gary
rockquarry
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I've used many different die sets from a variety of manufacturers since 1965. These include dies from Herter's, R. F. Wells, Lyman, Lee, Redding, Bonanza, Hornady, RCBS, Wilson, and maybe others.
I guess I've had around 80-100 die sets. With rare exception, they've all worked well.
I guess I've had around 80-100 die sets. With rare exception, they've all worked well.
