There are many good examples and experiences in this thread. I would add my experiences I've had with a 30-06. I loaded for my friend who also had a '06. The book said that the 165 gr. NP was in the velocity range of 2700 fps. We hunted Nevada at that time and our deer hardly ever moved from where they were shot. These were the standard spire point partitions. As prosperity caught up with me I bought a chrono and low and behold, those loads were only clocking 2550. I was shocked. They literally slammed deer like Thor's hammer. So, I got the idea to load some "trophy deer/elk" rounds with the protected point so could take bigger game efficiently. I loaded a batch of 180 Protected Point partitions at a clocked 2840 (with 24" barrel) and off I went. Well, I did take a very good muley. He was standing at 125 yards broadside and I had to put two rounds within a half inch of each other into him to get him to stay down. I was shocked. My other loads always turned their switch off. I am reminded of what was said by Elmer Keith I believe said it about the 2500 to 2800 fps range and how well bullets worked at that velocity with all things considered. I don't know what the reason is. But I have seen it happen several times. My 358 Win. with 200gr. round nose bullets kills game as fast as anything I've ever used at about 2400fps at the muzzle. I can't explain it but I do believe it. That's with standard bullets. The latest generations of bullets and cartridges are awesome but the old school stuff really has and does work well.

Before I started shooting whitetail deer with Contender handguns, I used rifles in my favorite caliber, .270 Win. Used to want as much velocity as I could get. Then started loading to 2750-2800fps, Winchester Power Points (reloaded) because they are cheap and oh so deadly. No need for "premium" bullets on whitetail.
Steve