Metal Detecting For Gold Nuggets.
Metal detecting for gold nuggets is a hobby whose membership is growing daily. This is more than likely attributed to the recent rise in the price of this yellow precious metal.
If you are already enjoying metal detecting as a hobby, you already have an edge over those not familiar with metal detector operations, ground tuning, discrimination, and subtle tone shifts and whispers.
If you plan on metal detecting for gold nuggets you must consider renting or purchasing a new or newer metal detector specifically for gold hunting. Changes in technology have really made a dramatic improvement in the newer units which makes them worth considering.
Not saying you won't find nuggets with some of the older models. You will, but the newer units can detect smaller flakes and nuggets at greater depths, which may prove out of reach to older models.
These metal detectors operate at a higher frequency than coin, jewelry and relic hunting units in order to find the flake and match head sized gold nuggets that are most common in electronic prospecting.
Metal detectors made specifically for gold or nugget hunting normally have much better ground balancing and are able to detect at much greater depths than their coin hunting counterpart. This may be in part to the lack of or lower discrimination features found in these units which is a considered necessity in coinshooting.
Does this mean that all you'll find is gold with these metal detectors? Quite the contrary. You will find barbed wire, rusted cans, 22.cal shell casings, etc..., but in time, the more you use your detector, the more you'll be able to use your own discrimination.... your ears.
Metal Detecting Gold Nuggets
Metal detecting gold nuggets will require the proper equipment if you intend to be successful, and you sure don't want to be nugget hunting in the hot sun all day with a metal detector not specific to the task.
There are multi-purpose metal detectors offered by the major manufacturers that are suitable for the recreational nugget hunter. Some of these operate at multiple frequencies, while others are accomplished with a mode shift or a combination of mode shift and adding a higher frequency search coil.
For the hard core nugget shooter, the best metal detector to use is one designed specifically for gold hunting in highly mineralized ground conditions. The reason? That's where the gold is!
These metal detectors operate at a much higher frequency than their coinshooting counterparts. The average coin and jewelry machine runs in the 6khz range where metal detecting gold nuggets requires 40khz or greater, though some operating in the 14khz may have an advantage in depth for the larger sized nuggets.
There are multi-purpose metal detectors offered by the major manufacturers that are suitable for the recreational nugget hunter. Some of these operate at multiple frequencies, while others are accomplished with a mode shift or a combination of mode shift and adding a higher frequency search coil.
For the hard core nugget shooter, the best metal detector to use is one designed specifically for gold hunting in highly mineralized ground conditions. The reason? That's where the gold is!
These metal detectors operate at a much higher frequency than their coinshooting counterparts. The average coin and jewelry machine runs in the 6khz range where metal detecting gold nuggets requires 40khz or greater, though some operating in the 14khz may have an advantage in depth for the larger sized nuggets.
The Best Metal Detectors for Nugget Hunting
Whether you"re a hard core nugget hunter, or just a recreational prospector, you'll want to go prepared for the mineralized ground you'll encounter. To place the odds in your favor, you should rent or buy the best metal detectors to use for hunting flake and gold nuggets, as these machines are extremely sensitive to gold. Keep in mind that you're not coinshooting, but hunting for placer gold in the form of flakes and bb sized nuggets, though hopefully you'll find larger.
Here's just a partial listing of the best metal detectors suited for this task...
Minelabs best gold detectors include the GPX, GP and SD series suited for the hard core gold hunter. Other multi purpose models which can get the job done is the Eureka, X-Terra 70, and Explorer SE.
Garret models include the Scorpion Gold Stinger and the multi purpose pulse induction Infinium LS (Land / Sea) which operates on land and underwater at depths to 200 feet.
The Gold Bug, Gold Bug2 and the multi purpose F75 and soon to be released F5 are Fishers answer for the nugget hunter and prospector.
Tesoro's Lobo is a long time favorite and lives up to it's reputation for finding those small grains of gold in highly mineralized soil.
Though this list is by no means all inclusive, these are some of the most popular models for metal detecting for gold nuggets. If you're undecided on any model, my advice is for you to research prior to purchase in some of the outstanding forums.
Happy Hunting,
Mike