Long rifle

"Pennsylvania/Kentucky" Rifle
Type	Muzzle-loaded long gun
Place of origin	Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Service history
In service	Circa 1700 - Circa 1900
Used by	British American colonies (until 1776) United States (1776-20th century)
Wars	French and Indian War American Indian Wars American Revolutionary War War of 1812 Texan Revolution Mexican-American War American Civil War
Production history
Designer	Martin Meylin and/or Robert Baker
Designed	Circa 1700s
No. built	Approximately 73,000
Variants	Hunting variant
Specifications
Mass	Variable, typically 7 to 10 lbs.
Length	54 in. to over 70 in.
Barrel length	32 in., to over 48 in.
Caliber	.25 cal to .62 cal - .40 to .48 cal was most common
Action	Flintlock/percussion lock (predominant after 1850)
Rate of fire	User dependent, Usually 2+ rounds a minute
Muzzle velocity	1200 - 1600ft/s
Effective firing range	Variable, 100 yards typical, to well over 200 yards by an experienced user
Feed system	Muzzle-loaded

The long rifle, also known as the Kentucky rifle, Pennsylvania rifle, or American long rifle, is a muzzle-loading firearm used for hunting and warfare. It was one of the first commonly-used rifles.^[1] The American rifle was characterized by a very long barrel of relatively small caliber, uncommon in European rifles of the period.

The long rifle is an early example of a firearm using rifling (spiral grooves in the bore), which caused the projectile, commonly a round lead ball in the early firearm, to spin around the axis of its motion. This increased the stability of its trajectory and dramatically improved accuracy over contemporary smooth-bore muskets, which were cheaper and more common. Rifled firearms were first used in major combat in the American colonies in the eighteenth century during the French and Indian War, and later the American Revolution, with increasing use in the War of 1812, Texan Revolution, and American Civil War.

The main disadvantages of muzzle-loading rifles compared to muskets were higher cost, a slower reload time due to the use of a tighter-fitting lead ball, and greater susceptibility to fouling of the bore after prolonged use, which would ultimately prevent loading and make the weapon useless until cleaned. The invention of the Minié ball in 1847 resolved the technical disadvantages and allowed the rifle to replace the musket.^{[citation needed]}

The long rifle was made popular by German gunsmiths who immigrated to America, bringing with them the technology of rifling from where it originated. The accuracy achieved by the long rifle made it an ideal tool for hunting wildlife for food.