“” “” Actually, rifles were primarily strictly for hunting.
Rifles took too much skill and time to load for use in the combat tactics of the time.”” “”
These were in place since 18th century but due to cost and complexity weren’t practical as infantry weapons.
Rifles were first used en-masse in 1850s during Crimean War.
Interesting on the subject
https://allthingsliberty.com/2013/07/charles-willson-peales-riffle-with-a-tellescope-to-it/