The Springfield is not one of the stronger bolt actions. Neither are the pre-war M-70s or most any other rifle built prior to the late 40s, the early Arisakas being the exception. The military M-98 was made of weak steel by today's standards, but it's design was so good that is was "stronger" than the steel it was made of.
In 1948, Gen Julian Hatcher conducted blow-up tests with a "good" Springfield, an Enfield, a military M-98, and then then new Rem 721. The Enfield and Springfield blew early. The 98 and 721 kept handling hotter and hotter loads until the M-98 blew. The 721 held the load the M-98 blew.
This test illustrates well the differences in relative strength. The 721 is a modern action design built from strong chrome-moly steel. Most actions made of modern steel will have similar strength, which includes tensile strength and gas control. That is why we hear all the stories about modern bolt actions--notable the Rem 700--handling severe overloads without coming apart. The military M-98 hanging in there so long speaks to is excellent design. It would have been interesting if Hatcher had continued the test until the 721 blew.
However, any action can be blown up if the pressure becomes great enough. Who knows if a 700 would have held the load that blew the Springfield Jn316 told us about. I hope nobody is curious enough to try.............
