Question about new Stevens Model 200

[SBG]

I just purchased a brand new 7mm-08 Stevens. I didn't have the funds to put a high dollar scope on it, and so I bought a Bushnell Banner. I sighted the rifle in yesterday and have it shooting a good group. My question is about firing the rifle before cleaning the barrel. I sighted it in before I cleaned the barrel after removing it from the box. Being new to rifles, I didn't that it was important. Now I have read where there is an actual barrel break-in procedure I should have followed. Have I screwed this rifle up by shooting it before it was clean, or by not breaking-in the barrel?

Thanks for any help.

[PA-Joe]

Most guns have packing grease on and in the barrel that should have been removed before shooting. Not a critical thing now and nothing to worry about. Clean it up good now and you may have to sight it in again. Remember that the first shot or two out of a clean barrel may shoot to a slightly difference point of aim. By the way how did it shoot?

[Slamfire]

I've read that you should clean down to bare metal after every shot for 200 shots. I've also read that you should clean after 10 shots and just about every interval in between. I've never done any of that with new rifles and I'm happy with what I got.
I've also had a LOT of used rifles that I bought from guys who thought they wouldn't shoot, and tuned them up so they shot just fine.
I've have a 6.5mm milsurp that you can drop a .25 caliber bullet through and it shoots like it was a varmint rifle.
I doubt you can really mess up a barrel usin' factory ammo, and keep the visible copper or lead cleaned out. 

[SBG]

Thanks for the replies folks...I feel better now!

The rifle really shoots very well. I don't have a very good set up at the house for shooting, so I was shooting off of a table without sandbags or any support. I put a circle in the middle of a paper plate about 3" diameter...actually, I traced around the bottom of a diet pepsi can with a marker to make the circle. I only have about 50 yards to shoot and after about 6 rounds I was shooting consistently inside the circle. Not being able to get a good base to shoot from, I thought that this performance would be acceptable for deer hunting where my furthest shot will be max 125 yards. Is 50 yards enough distance to know how the rifle will shoot?

[PA-Joe]

If this is your first year shooting I would try to keep it under 50 yds. 3" is good at that distance but could stretch out to 6 at 100.

[SBG]

Thanks Joe...that was one of my concerns. It may be on at 50, but still be spreading and not show up till 100.

[DavOh]

While i know alot of people who hunt with beat up .30-30s who feel that on a pie plate at 100 yds is minute of deer accuracy and plenty adequate for whitetail.  Mind you these guys fill the freezer every year just fine....

but.... get yourself to a 100 yd range somewhere.  There is no substitute for practice when it comes to a new rifle.
I personally like to know EXACTLY where that bullet is going to go before I pull the trigger.