Back in the late 70s/early 80s, I discovered Beeman. He was a VERY good marketer and made a little more power sound like the ultimate. Think of FWB 124 vs R1. What is that... 12 vs 15 ft lb? I bought a good number based on that and was typically disappointed because they never matched the claims. They shot quite well though, but the power thing drove me on.
During that era, I hunted quite a bit with my FWB124 and it was quite good. At one point I shot a rabbit between the eyes that was facing me at about 30 yds with RWS Meisterkugelns (flat head). Upon skinning it, found the pellet had gone through it end to end and stuck between flesh and skin in the back of it's leg. Keep in mind that this was just under 12 ft lb. Did I need more than that... absolutely not. Many squirrels and rabbits fell to that rifle and I don't remember having to hit one twice.
Anyway... it's mostly marketing that drives us... I'm quite happy shooting anything good now... power has little meaning to me as long as it's enough for the purpose.
To that point, a friend approached me about seeing what could be done with his Steyr LG100 to make a good 12 ft lb shooter. I had happened to have a 20 year old LG100 barrel that seemed perfect except for a tight breech. I lapped it carefully and it tested as good as anything I've ever shot... 1 small hole at 50, over and over. Keep in mind, sub 12 ft lb but also nice conditions. Just for grins, I shot a group at 100...
The first 3 went in there on top of each other, then I could feel a very slight change in the drift, so held a little and saw it go a little left. The fifth had a little more change so I held a little more but still went out to the far left. Just one group and no question there was luck involved but man... what a good little shooter that was.
I'm happy with 12 ft lb for sure...
Bob