I have to think you are on the right track with that Brent!

" Al, et al. I have shot roundballs in mine but find it regulates with only 40 gr or so of powder. I gotta believe that it could do better than that. I have some samples of a .630" "Rigby bullet" from an NEI mold that I will try. They are quite short and may be ideal for this gun. Gotta find the time to do this however."

I did not know the caliber of your rifle, I can say if it's a .60+ then the one in fifty four twist sure points in the direction of the bullet over the ball.

For a ball over a bullet in that caliber then the twist would slow to close twice that.

If we were betting on bullet or ball, I'm putting my money on "da bullet". For what that's worth?