they used a machine called a rifling bench. It was all wood except for the hook rifler. EAch pull through the bore would cut one groove. they next pull would be ratcheted over to cut the next groove. Itt took many cuts to get the right depth.
the smoothbore musket only had a 50 yard accurate range but it could be rapidly loaded. The rifle would take a minute or more, especially if it had been fired a lot and was fouled. Black powder leaves a crudey mess in the bore when fired. 5 or 10 rounds and a rifle had to be cleaned. a musket could 50 fire times or more
It wasn't a matter of cost but speed of loading. When the minie ball was invented, all was solved and rifles became practile for everyone. |