| As far as I understood Missileer muskets of that era and particularly the ones we colonial had access to were NOT rifled but smooth bore hence the tactics on the field of marching in lockstep, closing to within spitting distance and firing as a unit. It wasn't until the American civil war that we had rifling in the barrels and the technology made the old tactics obsolete. The fact we still used them accounts in large part for the high casualty rates of that war. I could be wrong but this is what I was taught and have read.
__________________ "The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." - John Steinbeck |