Ive got a good bit of aluminum saved up, and I usually don't even wear armor under my power armor. That way I can carry more. If Im going out for loot Ill put my companion in a power armor frame with no armor on it so they can carry more as well. Theres an outfit I got that was much better than the Silver Shroud armor. Its George Washingtons outfit or something. I forget where I got it though.

Ive been using a Gauss rifle I maxxed out. Its usually one shot kill. When I run out of ammo on that I use a legendary energy rifle Ive got too.

You should really start the main quest. Its pretty cool.