While what you say about the loading process is true, the History Channel disagrees with you..not because of the technology involved, but rather the tactics of the British. . They had a show on recently that caught my interest. It seems the British often preferred to fire a volley, and follow it with a bayonet charge. There was little time for the Colonists to reload before the British were on top of them. The Colonists also needed to rely on the bayonets in close combat. The muskets were manufactured to affix a bayonet on the end of their barrels. The rifles were not.  

Although, the technology of rifling the barrel had been known for several centuries earlier (Mid 15th Century)... its use was limited. You are correct in that rifles did not come into common usage until a later period because of their limitations. They were preferred for hunting rather than the military, but the Colonists were often forced to fight with whatever weapon they had available rather than a standardized issue. The British used them effectively in sharpshooter units against targets of opportunity during the Napoleonic Wars.to post a reply: login - or - register