I have a savage model 16, .243 and the stock is contacting the barrel at the end of the forend. I thought that is should be free floating, but I don't remember. The gun should be about 2-3 years old.

Thanks,
Eric Wolffram

Nevermind, the below responses are more educated.

The first and most important question is if the stock is wood or sythetic.
If the stock is wood,then chances are that it has warped and should have the barrel channel relieved to free float again.

Savage, like Remington, built their stocks with a pressure point up front on the sporter style barrels.

If it shoots well, leave it alone.

My older Savage shoots great with the pressure point. If you sand it down to free-float it and the accuracy gets better, great. If it gets worse, you can slowly build it back up with epoxy bedding compound.

EXACTLY! If it's not shooting well or has changed it's POI and you think it is related to the fore-end contacting the barrell try relieving the contact material a bit, but make sure to seal it back up with some finish.