Today's finds

[JCJEXPLORER]

10 minieballs, eagle button, camp lead, small piece to a fuse, pocket knife and the big one........3.8 Hotchkiss w/ flame groove, sabot and base.......... This Etrac is the machine on CW relics. Anyone have an idea what the brass object is??

 

[Erik in NJ]

Nice finds....has that area been hunted before? What is that large item you're holding? Sorry for the stupid question - I don't know CW relics. How did another detector miss that one???

 

[JCJEXPLORER]

Site has been hamered over the years. I'm holding the freshly dug Hotchkiss.

 

[Jesse W. McComas]

How did you set your machine up for Relic Hunting? HH...Jesse.

 

[JCJEXPLORER]

The post below this one is a great start to your question plus there are several others on this site... having said that, Most guys when starting to relic hunt get discouraged because the find ratio goes way down from coin hunting. Reason, you will dig alot of non valuable iron and you will be hearing sounds never heard in the coin mode. Dig all repeatable signals no matter what the numbers or the cross hair say. You need to learn the sounds of brass, good iron, lead and etc.. Get to know your sizing pin point mode. It will help to determine the size and shape of the iron targets so you can decide to dig the shell or not dig the plow piece. Iron gives a high pitch sound like silver, but there is a difference. You have to get this sound down!!!! Example: Old iron nails can give you a nice high pitch sound, the numbers and even the Cross hair will indicate a good target on part of your sweep.(jumping around) You will dig alot of nails in the beginning, but once the sound is down you will be fine. By the way, if you are digging alot of iron nails you are in the right area. Old home site, camp, hut, etc... Save the nails so you can date the site. Stay at it and keep all of us posted on your finds.

 

[dr_maddog]

JC,

It sounds like you hunt in conductive audio instead of ferrous. Typically it has been recommended to hunt for relics in ferrous mode. I understand that everyone has their preferred method of hunting.

What do you like better about conductive audio when relic hunting? Stability? Just personal preference?


Oh yeah, great finds!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[JCJEXPLORER]

Maddog, For me it's what you perfer. I have always hunted in Cond tones. For me sound is the most important target indicator and switching around would only confuses the issues.

 

[Ex-Sox]

Man, thems some good diggins!! Great save on the Hotchkiss, I would love to find one of those or even a piece of one of those. Should have my Etrac tomorrow!!!!!!!

 

[Mike Gresham]

Chris - I'm headed to the BGI hunt in 2 weeks with my new E-Trac. I had planned on hunting in the default relic mode with a wide-open screen and as much sensitivity as possible and still be stable. I intend to dig every signal until I can develop a feel for the sounds. What settings were you using on your finds? What did the Hotchkiss sound like? How deep was the shell?

Thanks. Mike Gresham

 

[JCJEXPLORER]

Mike,
Sound was a high pitch that registered just above to 34 Fer line but jumped around a bit. The sound was unmistakable and repeatable in different directions. Sizing pin point indicated a large iron object. The shell was 18+" down. I will post all my settings later as I've got to get to work.

 

[JCJEXPLORER]

Here are my settings:

Discr out up to Fer 34
Auto +3 or as dictates
Threshold 26
Vol Limit 29
Vol gain 24
Respons Normal
Multi tones
Sounds Conduct
Variabilty 27
Limits 30
Threshold pitch 19
Recovery Deep ON
Recovery fast OFF
Trash Dens High
Ground Difficult

 

[Mike Gresham]

Thanks Chris. I will set up my E-Trac the same way.

 

[Ex-Sox]

I loaded your settings too if you dont mind. I like Ferrous better though, just used to it with the SE. Thanks and will give her a go tomorrow!