I have one that was sporterized in the late '50s or early '60s. The barrel was turned to reduce the contour and reamed to .300 H&H. I had it refurbished a couple years ago. Then I added a Timney trigger. The walnut stock that was made for the rifle was a little sad but I was able to make some repairs and coat it in truck bed liner.
I have managed less than 1 1/2" groups with 200 gr Noslar Partition hand loads several times.
A lot of people use the action from those to do what you did. The construction of those things were so strong that it could take the pressure.
Mine is GI Issue Eddystone.