Considering how long it takes to reload a musket, why didn’t soldiers from the 18th century simply carry 2-3 preloaded muskets instead to save time?
In: Engineering
Weight and money.
Muskets aren’t light when you have to haul it around walking. Modern rifles tend to be lighter (until you reach higher calibers) and I can tell you from personal experience they start to feel a tad heavy after 8 hrs. 20 extra pounds feels worse than it sounds after several days and dozens of miles. The ability to maneuver and move forces quickly is a huge strategic advantage.
Muskets also aren’t cheap. Outfitting troops to carry 3 weapons instead of 1 is 3x the cost to fire 3 shots at the beginning of battle quickly, then have to reload anyways. And now the troops have to keep track of 2 expended weapons while reloading 1 and fighting a battle. Battles that can last hours or days.
Better to just train the troops to reload quickly and adjust tactics to account for it.
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