What’s a realistic depth to dig

[49er12]

We all no the avg depth depending on ground conditions is what definitely under a foot 12 inches, what 6 to 8 inches. Anyhow depends. But it’s not enough you buy the detector, but spending hundreds of dollars to gain what a inch or 2. All you experts we obviously can’t be digging 2 foot holes, but even my experience says a solid foot and you would be surprised what your missing folks, you say I go 9 inches , they say 10 or 12 but honestly nobody gets a consistent 12 inches. I don’t mind being proved wrong I learn, but you must swing slowly to get your money’s worth, it’s hard enough to hear the tainted tones folks, in ending I like depth, we are missing so much. If we settle for less than what’s the point. If you find virgin ground your lucky but much has been covered applied more fill. Ok what’s the opinions some of you spend a hell of a lot, why not get the maximum from your time we can’t always go back.

 

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[smokeythecat]

Most of the "modern" coins around here are about 6" or so under. I have dug coins at 18" in semi wet ocean sand. So it all depends on your site, your machine and your skill level. Those spills just under the grass are no fun.

 

[gunsil]

Depth for general coin hunting is way overrated. My experience is like Smokey's, most coins found in the top 6" of soil in undisturbed sites. This includes colonial sites where I have recovered large cents and reales all 6" or less deep. This means unlandscaped or silted in grounds. Now in the woods where one can get more build up from trees early coins will be deeper but still I find many under 8" deep and I for one don't really wish to dig two feet for a dime. The guys in Europe where things may have been in the ground for a millenia or two find deeper stuff, but even a lot of them rely on things being brought closer to the surface by plows.

 

[49er12]

Heck most of us aren’t interested in digging periods, educate me my friend, dirt compacted soil whatever, not same as beach sand packed.how do we now how the depth really works, size of item, material. U must go slower right only makes sense to hear stuff

 

[Loco-Digger]

The target size has much to do with the depth you will hear it. I.E. a half dollar will be heard at 12" whereas a dime will not on many machines. On virgin property (old yards in town) most old coins were from 4-7 inches deep. My deepest was an 1812 French 5 francs at 10.4 inches in rain soaked soil. If I had a good lead on a cache I would not mind digging deep holes, otherwise like you most are less than 12" deep. I actually upgraded from a cheap machine that had an 8" coil to a mid level machine with a 9 x 11 DD for the additional depth. 6 months later I upgraded to a machine that had boost mode, wanting to eke out more depth. I rarely use the boost process for more than getting a better target ID on an iffy signal. A few months later I bought a 15" coil for more depth. The large coil required a harness. I have not used it in 2 years and find myself going for better target separation by using a sharpshooter coil.

 

[Truth]

I put the 15 inch coil on my 800 and I hit this eight reales at a foot and a French 8lb cannonball at 2ft

 

[CASPER-2]

I have pulled many old gold rings from close to 2ft range and have pulled other relics and goodies from
1 &1/2 ft down to 2ft range - i hunt in all metal with my CZ21 and hit a hammered CW area and was pulling
minie balls in 2ft range - got to go slow and go for the whisper targets - most dont want to go that slow
or have the patience to go for the faint ones ---on land or in the water

 

[Trezurehunter]

If I'm in a park or wooded area, I usually dig until I find the item. If I'm in a private yard I try to keep it at around 8 inches, so as to not look like I'm excavating their yard.

 

[Javadroid]

This is a timely thread for me - I recently bought a NEL Storm 13x14 DD coil for my AT Pro to get a few more inches of depth and broader search range to hunt fields with. I'd like to start finding Civil War era artifacts and thought it might be what's needed. Sounds like experiences vary, so here's to hoping it works for me! Thanks for all the comments folks. [h=1][/h]

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

As some others have said - depends where and the signal. In a park or yard - 8" to 10" carefully so it leaves no trace when I flip the plug back. In the woods or fields until I hit the target.

One of the deepest "solid" signals I ever found was an aluminum pie plate that, for some reason, was 18" deep.

 

[TheGreenBoy]

It depends what you are after. When searching by chance, some 30 cm for coins and 50cm for all the rest is pritty much it. When searching for militaria 1m or more is not uncommon. When one is after something of value, assumed to be in certain area in accordance to previus and thorous research, much deeper holes could be dug.