For revolver cartridge reloaders, the non automatic rifle is very nice indeed. Auto loaders require some sort of power to cycle the weapon one way or another, too much power or too little out of spec will lead to reliability problems. The manual cycling gun has its advantages here and there, and it has its advantages here in spades.
With a manual rifle one can shoot light 38 Special all the way to hot 357 Magnum without adjusting anything for cycling. You can load any cartridge length you need, short, long OAL's are just fine. Even super long custom cartridges that can't even fit in the tube can be loaded manually into the breach. The flatter noses of many revolver bullets works just fine in a lever gun where it might cause trouble in an auto loader.
I suppose these same arguments can be used for bolt action, but there are more lever guns in these calibers than bolt. I think one thing as a lover of bolt actions is that the comb and build of lever guns tends to be "quick" and quite suitable for quick bringing to the shoulder for quick shots, one place the pistol caliber carbine has a place is short range small game shooting, and the quick, short nature of the lever gun is supurb for sticking in a truck or for a quiet walk around the woods or on the property. Some still use 30-30 in lever guns on deer to this day because they are good close range, quick to the shoulder rifles. They fill a niche out there.
Plus anyone who has shot PCC levers enjoys them. Probably the most well loved gun in my arsenal is the Winchester 94ae in 357 Magnum because it packs a lot of power with full power cartridges and has little recoil and blast in the full length barrel. Load up a whole pile of home cast bullets in light 38 Special and enjoy an afternoon of plinking in the backyard. it has its place.