I've had a .300WSM for 4 years now --- and yes, at short range with a shot square in the shoulder, it does create some significant damage. But if you slide it just behind the shoulder into the ribs, you won't cause nearly as much meat loss, and that goes for most calibers, magnum or otherwise.

I've really enjoyed the short mag --- it flies flat, hits hard, and doesn't really kick that much worse than my .30-06. I shoot the 150gr Ballistic Silvertips, sighted about 2 1/2 inches high at 100yds, and feel comfortable shooting out to around 375yds with it.