Buffalo rifle generally refers to large-calibre, generally single-shot black powder cartridge

Black powder cartridge

Black powder cartridge refers to firearms ammunition from the period after the introduction of metallic cartridge, but prior to the wide adoption of smokeless powder....

 firearms which were used to hunt the American Bison

American Bison

The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...

 (or "buffalo") to near-extinction in the late-19th Century. Three types of rifles in particular were used by professional buffalo hunters, namely the Springfield Rifle

Springfield Rifle

The term Springfield Rifle may refer to any one of several types of small arms produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the United States armed forces....

, Remington No. 1, and Sharps rifle

Sharps Rifle

Sharps rifles were those of a series begun with a design by Christian Sharps. Sharps rifles were renowned for long range and high accuracy in their day.-History:Sharps's initial rifle was patented September 17, 1848 and manufactured by A. S...

s. The Sharps was the favorite among hunters because of its accuracy at long range.