caplock, in a mountian man shoot they had a bell at 89 yards it was the size of a 8 inch(fat) fire extinghuisher cut 3/4 down...i hit it both days. i shoot the 56 smoothbore as good as any of my other tc's...useing a round ball.....550 balls .015 patch....i don't know why...but its a great shooter...the balls are very tight...I've never shot it like a shotgun