Page "Rifle" Paragraph 9

Rifles were created as an improvement in the accuracy of smooth bore muskets.

In the early 18th century, Benjamin Robins, an English mathematician, realized that an elongated bullet would retain the momentum and kinetic energy of a musket ball, but would slice through the air with greater ease.

The black powder used in early muzzle loading rifles quickly fouled the barrel, making loading slower and more difficult.

Their greater range was also considered to be of little practical use, since the smoke from black powder quickly obscured the battlefield and made it almost impossible to target the enemy from a distance.

Since musketeers could not afford to take the time to stop and clean their barrels in the middle of a battle, rifles were limited to use by sharpshooters and non-military uses like hunting.