The best response I've ever read on this subject comes from an interview with A. Scott Connelly, who probably knows as much about dietary protein and body composition as anyone alive:
"Q: In your opinion, how much protein should a serious strength-power athlete consume on a daily basis?
A: My real world answer to this question is to “consume as much as you can.” The response in muscle growth induced by resistance training to increasing dietary protein intake is virtually linear over a range of intakes that are attainable by human beings. For example human research shows that muscle mass gains are doubled by escalating intake of protein from two to three grams per kilogram of bodyweight. I have worked with subjects who’ve reached daily intakes of 400 grams per day with spectacular gains in LBM [lean body mass].
There are theoretical concerns surrounding the fact that any excess intake of amino acids over immediate requirements activate degradation pathways and that there can be finite limits to these mechanisms. In reality this is only an issue for the rare individual with genetic disorders of amino acid metabolism (phenylketonuria, for example) as the capacity for amino acid oxidation [burning] can be ramped up very rapidly to keep pace with intake values that are practically attainable. The pattern of consumption should be multiple feedings throughout the day with the protein content of each feeding representing equal fractions of the daily total. Disproportionate large quantities consumed at single feedings increases oxidative loss of amino acids as the system is geared to maintain individual plasma [blood] amino acid levels within certain limits of one another. Flooding the plasma with large excesses above physiologic ranges is immediately followed by irreversible oxidation of the excess."