Do you have a different revolver you could try them in?
Do you have a different revolver you could try them in?
On your particular SWC's , when seated properly in the crimping grove, is the shoulder of the bullet extended beyond the case ? ( This would Not be an inherently bad thing . In fact it is a positive design feature .)
BUT , if your Throat is undersized , the cartridge would not chamber properly . The field expedient way to check , is a bullet should pass through the throat with no more than light finger pressure .
If not , two possibilities - The throat could be indeed undersized , or the bullet sizing could be inconsistent , with at least some of the bullets oversize .
What is the nominal diameter of your bullets ? .358 is the most common, and usually correct diameter for .38/357 cast bullets . Use your micrometer , and check the actual diameter of a meaningful same of your bullets . If you are feeling really froggy , measure the diameter of all your throats ( worth a discussion of its own .
Field Expedient method to use up your existing stash of bullets , in your revolver as-is : Seat the bullets deeper in the case , so than you are crimping over the front shoulder rather than the crimp groove .
IF the bullets are either inconsistent , or larger dia than listed on box/ advertised , that would be grounds for a refund . Or to skip a potential hassle , use your existing supply crimped over the shoulder , and use a different supplier for your next batch . Unless you are planned otherwise to persue bullet casting , or you have multiple thousands of bullets in question , probably not worthwhile to resize them yourself .
OR , if the throats are indeed undersized , the proper step is to ream all the throats to a consistent size, typically .3585 to .359 . Correcting undersized/ inconsistent throats will usually result in significant accuracy improvement .
Reloading ammunition is a hobby where you never really learn it all. Change firearms or calibers and you start all over again. The best thing I can tell you is to keep good detailed notes. That will keep you from retracing your steps. Don't just keep notes on the ammo, keep notes on the guns preferences for what it likes and what it doesn't. When you get a few extra bucks, buy a Master Chrony chronograph for @ $120. You don't need a super sophisticated chronograph to make better loads.
I have loaded exactly the same bullet (Missouri Bullet Company 158gr). I am using the hard cast hitek coated version. When loaded in a mixed lot of brass (some pretty old - i just shot some 30 year old wadcutters loads and was reusing the brass) some are fine, some are a little sticky in the cylinder and some will not chamber at all. What i found was that the hangup was that the base of the bullet was tight in the brass. PMC brass in particular was an issue; i suspect it is a little too thick halfway down the case wall. When you look at the cartridge case you can see the swelling at the back of the bullet. I never see this with either HBWC or soft lead DEWC - i suppose they just swaged down a bit.
Using new Starline brass i have had no issues.
Hope this helps.
Anytime.
BTW, your bullet looks good.