Help me identify this ammo!

[musc]

I was looking through some of my old ammo and I came accross this old box of .357mag I purchased years ago. I probably got this around 1997 (Check out that $10.52 price tag for 50!!). It's branded Leader and its a 158gr semi jacketed soft point. I took some out to the range and it still shoots great. It seems to be a very stout load and has sort of a green colored muzzle flash. The head is stamped LE and 357 magnum. It appears to be Italian by the markings on the box. I took some photos below.

I wouldn't mind finding some more of this but I have searched and searched online and can't seem to find anything about it. Maybe it's a defunct company? Any one have any info on this one?

Thanks in advance!

 

[K&Nframe]

It's from Leader trading in germany. Made for them by Fiocchi.

Kevin

 

[musc]

It's from Leader trading in germany. Made for them by Fiocchi.

Kevin

Kevin,
Thanks for the response! Do you know of any retailers that may sell it in the U.S? Or would something in the Fiocchi product line be equivalent to it? Thanks again.

Chad

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

I have yet to see any of the Leader brand ammo being sold here in the U.S. either retail or thru the Internet websites. Fiocchi's own 158SJSP ammo is basically the same as the Leader brand.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

It's the same as Fiocchi, but Fiocchi munition in Europe is different than the stuff they market in the US. The Fiocchi in Europe is loaded a little hotter; I have no proof of this, but I have noted on their euro website vs. the US website that they have different types of ammo for the same caliber/cartridge. I've fired their .45 ACP, .38 spl, .357 Magnum and 9x19 stuff, and they produce quite a bit of more noticeble recoil in each of those cartridges. I believe they load down a little for the US market, probably for liability reasons. In any event, it's high quality, reliable and good munition. I use that 158gr SJSP for hunting; it is very good.

 

[blink183sktr]

We have to go by the guidelines by the us government. But I know our materials come from Italy. I think maybe the load isn't as hot as Europe but we use the same materials.

 

[Alk8944]

We have to go by the guidelines by the us government. But I know our materials come from Italy. I think maybe the load isn't as hot as Europe but we use the same materials.

I don't suppose you are speaking in an official capacity as a spokesman for Fiocchi USA????

SAAMI standards compliance is strictly voluntary, not required by law! Fiocchi is perfectly free to load ammunition to CIP standards if they choose to. While a bit higher pressure than SAAMI Standard pressure the CIP standard is generally not up to SAAMI +P levels of pressure. Whether they do with ammunition loaded in the US I don't know. I do know that their .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, and .32 ACP that I have shot is hotter than the usual run of domestic ammunition! The 60 gr. .32 ACP chronographed at 1.120 FPS from my Walther PP.