RE: loose powder or pellets
Loose powder without question. There are a couple reasons. First the loose powder is much more cost effective. Pellets are expensive especially if you do a lot of shooting like many of us.
The other thing is, it is hard to fine tune your rifle with pellets. For instance, I have a Black Diamond XR and when I shoot the Hornady XTP's it likes 110 grains of powder. So now I would have to remember to have two 30 grain pellets and one 50 grain pellet, or I can pour my loose into a clear see through measure, cut the top of the charge with the built in funnel and pour.
I have a CVA like likes 80+ grains of Triple Se7en. I set the measure just over the 80 grain mark and it shoots fantastic.
The other reason is I think loose powder ignites better then pellets. You have to put your pellets in a certain way, and make sure they do not clunk around and break up a little in your hunting sack. I just pour loose powder charges into plastic film canisters when I hunt and carry four of them.