loading a lever action

Im unsure of the proper terms but what do you prefer,loading down the pipe (under the barrel) or pushing the bullets in from the side?

from the side.

depends on the model...Henry,Winchester,Marlin,Evans...?

^^ Yep, my Henry loads from the front of the tube, read the owners manual, if it's available.

I think nearly all modern centerfire levers are loaded from the side, rimfire levers from the tube up front.

Exception being Henry's 30/30, and some historical levers. Marlin used to have 32. Mag that loaded from the front too, I guess.

Seems like the choice is made for me, depending on what caliber I want to shoot.

Rim-fires are best loaded down the tube. Too small & delicate to use them for pushing in a loading gate cover.

Centerfires are best loaded from the side through a loading gate.
Best not to drop them down the tube to land on the primers / bullet noses.

rc