I mainly duck hunt now, and want to get back into rabbit. I do not deer hunt as much as I used to, but I use an old lever action Marlin 30-30. I learned to shoot on that rifle and it's been involved in many harvests over the years.
Many will agrue the safeties on most lever actions are dangerous (especially for younger kids) but I think learning and using that gun increased my safety and awareness then and now. One miniscule slip or too much pressure taking it from off safety to on and it's shooting.
I also hunt very thick woods when I do deer hunt, so a brush gun is preferred. Not sure what your area would be like. Remington Game Masters are also a great choice. Pump action 30-06.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk