GPZ 19 Gold Basin Deep Target

[mn90403]

Steve has started a topic on the GPZ 19 coil and last Thursday I was using that coil in Gold Basin.  Many of us have been to Gold Basin and we roughly know the conditions with gullies, benches, mountains and hills.  Little of it is 'flat' but some of the benches are large and open.  Some of the ground has been extensively worked with dry washers in the past and present.

My area for the day was on a slope in a well known claim and I wanted to find a deep nugget.  I've heard that they are there so I have the right equipment.  As luck would have it about 100 ft from where I parked I got a faint signal.  It was repeatable so I know I had to dig it.  The area was up on a higher slope of a larger gully and had not been worked with equipment.  I scraped and scratched and could still hear the signal.  Time to dig.

The signal got louder.  I changed settings from normal to difficult and could still hear it ... maybe not a hot rock but it could be ??  I'm down now over a foot which exceeds most of my 19" holes so far and I can hear it getting louder so I go to the SUV and get my pin pointer, GB Pro and camera.  Still too deep for the pointer and the GB Pro.  Lu comes over with the 2300 and can't hear it either.  Dig, dig more down next to a big rock ... is it the rock?

GB Pro now jumps around on the numbers 42, 75, 15 ... I'm getting close.  Lu says it is a hot rock.  I dig and dig with my long handle pick and finally it is out of the hole.  I scoop and scoop looking for color and then ... TRASH.

It is an old, long 22 shell casing that has been damaged.  Deep trash ... HOW?  Never that deep before.  Why?

It is my theory that the shell fell into a squirrel hole.  It was not a surface target that fell into the dug hole.  I'll never know but it was one of my deepest digs with the 19 (18" or so).  It would have been great if it was a nugget that deep and it is one of the reasons I will continue to use the 19.  I don't think I could hear that trash with the 14.  (Writing this perhaps I should have taken the time to try.)

After my learning and disappointment it was time to fill my hole.  

I wish it was a gold story.

Mitchel

 

[Lunk]

Next one's yellow Mitchel!

[ozgold]

Wow !!

 That was a good story with great description. I hadn't read it before and was reading it out loud to a mate of mine, we both were getting very excited about what was about to unfold, keeping us on the edge of our seats, unfortunately it was only trash feel sad for you

Look on the bright side you now know nothing less than 18 inches is out of your range

As you said you changed from normal to difficult, did that make much difference to the target response ?

Bet your heart missed a few beats when digging.

You had great arsenal of pin pointers to choose from.

Cheers ozgold

[mn90403]

I tried an array of 19 settings including JPs and I was still 'on target' so to say.  I posted the story because of the depth.  Many of our southwest fans have only shallow nuggets it seems when compared to your flat areas with layers of clay over them.

[matt]

Did you check to make sure that the long shell wasn't crimped at the opening? I always open/empty every shell casing found detecting after learning how the old timers sometimes used spent cartridges to store gold.

[GoldEn]

Was was getting excited until you wrote trash.

Well yes we all been there and dig some massive holes. Pin pointer is worth gold itself.

Its good to hear you persist with 19 as many are not really happy with this coil.

I personally dont have 7000 but would love to see some nice deep nuggets.

Hopefully next time you come with happier ending.

Great detect to that depth.

GoldEN

[DolanDave]

Been there done that Mitchel, like everyone else. At least you know that 19 punches deep, hope your next one is a good size nugget. I've seen some guys pull some good size nuggets on the Gold Basin claims, using a 25" coil on the gpx

Dave

[Steve Herschbach]

People may question the GPZ 19 and it's extra punch on large nuggets, but I am sure beyond doubt it will find junk deeper. I'm sorry that was not a nugget Mitchel - we all feel you pain!

[fredmason]

Yeah, all my deep holes have been junk...who needs a gpz and 19 inch coil for that!?!

There is plenty of deep ground and millions of undetected cubic feet in Gold Basin...maybe the next time, Mitchel.

fred

[mn90403]

Thanks everyone who read, liked and commented on my deep target story.

I hope everyone noticed that I filled my hole!

The trip was not a loss so don't feel too 'sorry' for us.  I finally got a picture of our two nuggets (one under the flash) and a good depth of field shot of the 5 meteorites.  They total to 98g!

Mitchel