I also use 4f in the pan when on the target range. Although 3f seems to work just as good. If a person wants to buy the selection of powders out there, then I would have a couple pounds of each (which I do).

Of course 2f Goex will work fine as a main charge. I use 2f as a main charge in my Trade Rifle which is .54 caliber.4f will work in the pan excellent. but so will 3f. Yet. if a person want to just get started and go shoot, then 3f Goex is the way I wouldgo. I load 3f Goex in three of my Hawkins rifles as a main chargeand get much better accuracy then with 2f. Also 3f will work fine as a pan powder. In fact in damp weather such as when hunting 3f will be more moisture resistant then 4f IMO and gives just as fast of ignition as the 4f. At least I'd hate to live on the difference. This way you carry one powder for everything. A lot of people shoot 3f powder in .50 caibers. I even shoot it in some of my .54 caliber cap locks.

I also replaced my liner with the RMC and they work excellent. They are a great product. As for filling the pan on the outside edge, (actually away from the vent liner) I get faster ignition in my rifles. When I put the powder too close to the vent hole, I have had it happen where the flint hits the frizzen, sets a spark and you get a fuse. Granted it will still fire, but away from the vent liner just seems to be faster in my rifles. I guess all rifles are different and they will have to experiment.

For instance, I put my vent pick in the vent liner and close the frizzen holding the vent pick in the liner, then load the rifle. When I open the frizzen to prime the pan,I drag the vent pick out. Now I know there is an open spot in the charge and a light trail leading to the edge of the vent hole liner. One small spark in that vent hole and the ignition seems as fast as many of my percussion rifles even.

In my Thompson Center .50 caliber Hawkins I shoot 90 grains of Goex 3f and a moosemilk patched roundball that I cast at home here. In my other Hawkins I shoot the same load. In my Trade Rifle which is a .54 caliber, I load 90 grains of Goex 2f and a patched roundball or a number of different conicals...

Do you pull the vent liner when you clean your rifle? Some do, some don't. I do. Then I like to put a little anti seize on the threads. I also pull the locks when I clean and wash behind them too..