My dad just won a Ruger Mk II stainless synthetic rifle chambered in 7 MM WSM.

Now we hunt whitetails and don't get a shot over 100 yards. In my mind this 7 WSM is far overkill. But it is such a nice gun he does not want to part with it. I'd like to make it usable in the type of hunting we do and I thought a 7-08 would be closer to meeting the circumstances where we hunt.

Now we currently also do not reload. But I was wondering if the 7 WSM could be loaded down to the 7mm-08 type performance. My naivety about reloading wonders if there would be so little powder in the large case that it wouldn't work?

I've been trying to talk my dad into selling it and getting the same gun in 338 Federal or even 308 win.

Yes, you can certainly reload the 7 WSM down to more usable performance levels for your conditions. Simply load the "Start" level loads in any good manual and you should be happy right there.

But you will have to learn to reload to accomplish it.

Oh, if you decide to trade, going to the .338 Federal won't improve your "overkill" problem. But the .308 Win is ideal for your hunting conditions.

If you don't reload just shoot it the way it comes. The deer won't know their any deader when hit by the 7WSM than the 7mm-08. Just use a heavy for the caliber bullet such as the 160 or 175 grainer and you won't have a lot of meat damage.