ORIGINAL: RugerM77.270
I think the 300 is a lot of gun (ease up its just my two cents) I personally would go for the 30-06 it will do all the same things and not as much damage on game or your shoulder. I have just heard of deer with entire shoulders blown off and hunters developing flinches from recoil. But if you can handle it go for it you won't be disappointed.
I agree with you that the 300 WM may have a little more recoil and can make some people flinch but it really won't do any more damage to game than a .30-06. If you don't want to damage the shoulder, don't put the crosshairs on the shoulder to start with. I know from experience that the .30-06 can and will make a mess of a deer's shoulder, if that is where you aim.