Years ago, the "likker control board" would have agents in cars watching people buy larger amounts of alcohol over the border in a neighboring state. (Think PA/NJ). Then they'd follow the holiday stock-uppers back into PA and bust them. Don't think they do that anymore, but it was almost comical like an old-time movie. (The miscreants were avoiding paying Taxes!-like how they got Al Capone!)
My .45 calibre rifles both do very well with 55 grains of fffg. Try that as a starting point….5 grain increments above and below, you should find something solid pretty quickly.
I’ve experimented with Pyrodex P and Triple 7 3f and I usually decrease the load by 10% or so and start there. I’m not afraid to shoot equal volume of these substitutes as I would Swiss blackpowder. They are hotter than Goex but the rifles can handle it. It really just depends on what your rifle likes.
