Called Taurus this morning. After the usual 10 minutes wait, I spoke with a lady in customer service. As I explained what my question was, she started to ask me where did I hear about not being able to use the 180. I patiently explained that I went to their website and read it off their posted user manual PDF. She kept asking me where in their website was the PDF file. After asking if it was a revolver, she ask on what page did I read about max was 158 grains, which of course I did not remember. To make a long story short, I believe she had no clue about what I was asking and what the answer was. Towards the end of the call she did say I should be OK if I use regular factory loads.
Needless to say, I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling about it, but I'll start with the 125 grains and then go up to the 158s I bought. Depending on how it feels, what the primers and cases look like, and how easy/tough it is to remove the cases, I may progress to shooting a couple of 180 Federal Vital Shoks and see how it goes. Then I might try the Buffalo Bore 180s last, praying that I do not loose any fingers in the process. I'll keep you posted.