Welcome to the campfire, Pard! The Evans rifles are interesting critters, alright! Just get your levering arm is shape. When you load these, you have to work the lever once for each advancement of the cartridge in the magazine. It should take about 28 or 29 pumps to get that first round into the chamber. In the Old Model 34! The new model with the .44 Evans Long round is easier to handload, as the round uses an outside lubed bullet. The .44 Evans Short originally used a heel bullet. I understand Buffalo Arms is making these. Have to look into it myself, as I have an Old Model.