OK, the other day I was in a bookstore in a small town in montana[i live in MI] and saw

a book which covered practically all forms of gunsmithing rifles. It was only rifles and all different

kinds. For some stupid reason I didn't buy it and now I cant remember the name and cant find

anything online which rings a bell. So I am looking for advice on what you think I am looking for

or something that would be sufficient. I am looking for something comphrensive with lots of details

avoiding elementery level info.

Lets start:

How old was the book?  Illustrations?  Subject matter?

"The Modern Gunsmith," by Howe is a two volume book.  Definitely NOT introductory material.  First rate craftsman.  That would be #1 on my list of recommendations.

There was a number of books by Stackpole publishing printed just after ww2.  This book is probably one of them.  Check out abebooks.com searching by Stackpole under publisher.

Alvin Linden wrote a couple about stockmaking.  Very good books, havent' seen them around for a very long time.

New or used?  Hardback or softback?

Maybe Sweeney’s’ “Gunsmithing Rifles”:
www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=7654&title=GUNSMITHING+RIFLES

Or McPherson’s “Accurizing the Factory Rifle”:
www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1706&title=ACCURIZING+THE+FACTORY+RIFLE&s=6221#6221

Patrick Sweeneys book, I'll bet. Its a good one.