Scott, we've never made a ruling on that. We just say black powder, and have accepted all subs. Since compitition requires non historical loadings in most cases, how historical the powder is not really a consideration. I actually agree with you, it's not that big of a deal, at least for GAF shooting. I view the subs as a decent starting point for those looking to try BP shooting, who might otherwise be scared off much of the mythology surrounding it. (Except for that evil rust in a bottle Pyrodex!) If I thought it conferred a significant advantage we would take it under discussion, but so far I have not seen it.
I've grabbed a few bottles of 777 the last few months, just to have something in the shortage.
Not sure anyone has ever used 209, just too expensive for the volume of fire needed at a GAF match. It's really a powder meant for In Line ML Deer Rifles, where a can of powder might last years.
HOWSUMEVER! NCOWS prides itself on its adherance to known history, so it seems this might be a consideration for them. I've seen enough debates on headstamps to think this.
I think the SASS guys outlawed it because if you put in in one of those little .32s they like, it's just not enough smoke. Since we set the floor at .38, there's enough powder volume to avoid this. But it does pop like smokeless, and looks like ciggarette smoke to me.