How Accurate are Muskets, Really?

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~~Video Description~~

Smoothbore flintlock muskets, the kind that were used by armies in the 18th Century, are often derided by scholars and history buffs alike as being horrible inaccurate. But this broad generalization is often laid more in stereotypes than in data, and is largely misunderstanding the purpose of what a musket actually was. In general, these weapons were far more accurate than people give them credit for. And in their proper context, they were the best tool for the job.

~~Sources & Further Reading On This Topic~~

My video about how soldiers did aim

Why did soldiers fight in lines?

Dr Burns' "Kabinettskriege"

The Old Fort Niagara Video

Two articles from the Journal of the American Revolution:

Finally an article that discusses the accuracy rates of modern firearms:

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~~Timestamps~~

Introduction 00:00

18th C. Firing Range Tests: 02:28

Sponsorship 04:40

Range Tests cont'd 07:26

Battlefield Performance 20:50

What Does This Look Like? 25:15

Reconciling the Real-Life Examples 29:57

"Point Blank" Range 34:46

The Musket in Context 38:30