New member intro and needs advice

[BobVZ]

Hi! My name is Bob and I've owned and used a Minelab 30 X-Tera for a number of years for hunting jewelry and coins. This is certainly an enjoyable hobby.

I come to the membership today seeking advice. This afternoon, an old friend called me in a panic. Apparently, 15 years ago he buried a cache in a large steel ammo can on his farm. He made a sketch map that contains landmarks but left out a crucial measurement. Now he can't find it. He dug up a swimming pool sized area today to no avail and called me because he knew I did metal detecting. According to him, he buried it 4-6 feet deep in a sandy loam soil. The target will be quite dense - 100 lbs of non-ferrous metal bars.

Questions:

Is there a chance my Minelab could get a return on it at that depth?

If not, is there a unit he could buy that could detect it?

Are there professionals that could be hired to detect it?


Thanks for help in advance,

Bob

 

[markinmichigan]

Good luck with that find. Lots of smart people here..Get ready to wait. Won't be long, lucky for you..

Mark in Michigan

 

[rogueaviation]

I would think that a two box detector would do this pretty easily. The Fisher Gemini would probably find it. I mention that one because they're available used for $600 or so on eBay right now. The White's two box was more highly sought after when I was looking last. XP makes a Deep Seeker for their Deus, but I think that one is closer to $2200.

The Fisher is pretty easy to use, you manually ground balance it then you're off and running in about ten minutes, give or take.

 

[Dangerranger60]

Ground penetrating radar. its used for finding voids and dense spots. I have seen it used to spot old graves [ to avoid them] and used by the sheriffs dept to find hidden graves. DR

 

[BobVZ]

Wow! That was fast. Thanks so much. Keep 'em coming.

 

[Dangerranger60]

I would think that a two box detector would do this pretty easily. The Fisher Gemini would probably find it. I mention that one because they're available used for $600 or so on eBay right now. The White's two box was more highly sought after when I was looking last. XP makes a Deep Seeker for their Deus, but I think that one is closer to $2200.

The Fisher is pretty easy to use, you manually ground balance it then you're off and running in about ten minutes, give or take.

I have an older Goldak two box detector, but I have never used it to find a box or metal item. I always used it to locate pipes that I could not get to one end to introduce a signal to be traced. one box provides the signal the other receives it. I do remember when I was first trained to use it they said I could find buried manhole covers under asphalt with it. But I have never looked for one that was deeper than an all-metal detector could find. DR

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I would think that a two box detector would do this pretty easily. ........

This ^ ^

 

[hoser]

Looks like you have your answer. Best bet would be a two box system. Good luck.

 

[Sorthious]

There are several detectors that can go, from what I read, up to 20' deep. I would think with 100's of pounds of metal something should hit it. Most of those detectors are around $2000 or higher. So, that Fisher at $600 would be a great deal, provided it works properly.

 

[ucnegold?]

According to him, he buried it 4-6 feet deep in a sandy loam soil.

If his measurements can get you in the general area, I would try a soil probe in sandy loam soil. An ammo box should be a fairly solid and audible target when struck with the probe. You can pick up a 48" "T" handle probe at Tractor Supply or make one even longer to suit your needs.

 

[husb2230]

Good luck

 

[Metal Pig]

What kind of crucial measurement did he leave out? Back when I worked with a survey crew for a while we used to find old survey points using just two "ties". It was a measurement from one landmark and then you use something to Mark the ground in an arc of a constant radius from that point. Then you would use a second point and do the same thing. Where the two arcs intersect is generally where you're going to find your thing, although it's not as accurate as full triangulation.

 

[Metal Pig]

Seems to me that most "non toy" detectors these days ought to be able to detect an ammo box that deep. Probably should be using PI or all-metal-mode with very little discrimination if any. FYI, I used to be able to pick up coffins six feet under with a Whites Classic II. The signal blasted right through like a church bell. (No I was not digging up people's graves. It was just curiosity. I was only digging around the paths that approached the cemetery from the surrounding areas. I got curious to see if I could detect a coffin, and sure 'nuff...)