Free-floating the barrel means that the manufacturer doesn't mount the barrel tightly to the stock, except at a couple of points, usually at the action mechanism and again a little forward. The barrel physically doesn't rest on the forearm stock. You check it by taking a piece of paper and wrapping it around the barrel and sliding it down the barrel into the stock. It should go down between the two smoothly until it hits the bedding pillar - the point of "contact" that supports the barrel and action. As some of our other shooters pointed out, this should be checked a couple of times after firing to see if it is catching due to heat warping. If it is, there are bedding compounds to allow you to re-bed the rifle stock yourself. I've never done it, but the literature states it's fairly easy to do if you're careful. I use a gunsmith. It'll get done right and most of them worth their salt will tell you if that was the issue to begin with. Good luck!