Relic hunting is one of the most rewarding ways to get into metal detecting. Instead of focusing only on modern coins or jewelry, you search for objects that can tell you something about the people who lived, worked, traveled, or gathered in an area decades or even centuries ago.
Old buttons, buckles, tools, military items, household objects, and other metal artifacts can turn an ordinary detecting trip into a piece of local history.
If you're new to the hobby, you don't need an advanced detector or years of experience to get started. The key is choosing suitable equipment, researching promising locations, learning basic detector settings, and recovering targets carefully.
What Is Relic Hunting?
Relic hunting involves searching for historical or older objects using a metal detector. The definition of a relic can vary, but common finds include:
- Old buttons
- Buckles and hardware
- Farm and hand tools
- Military artifacts
- Horse tack
- Old household items
- Tokens and trade-related objects
- Pieces of machinery or equipment
Relic hunting is different from traditional coin hunting because the targets can vary considerably in size, shape, metal type, and depth. An old iron object may be just as interesting as a brass or copper item.
This also means detectorists need to pay attention to signals they might otherwise dismiss as junk.
Choose the Right Metal Detector
A good beginner detector should be relatively easy to operate while still providing enough information to help distinguish different targets. Some features worth considering include:
- Target identification: Helps estimate the type of metal under the coil.
- Discrimination: Allows you to reduce responses from certain types of unwanted targets.
- Sensitivity: Controls how responsive the detector is to targets.
- Operating frequency: Different frequencies can affect how a detector responds to various targets.
- Search coil: Coil size and design can influence coverage, separation, and performance.
- Preset search modes: Useful when you're still learning how to adjust settings manually.
For beginners interested in a straightforward detector with features suited to coin and relic hunting, the garrett ace 400 metal detector is one option to consider. Its target ID and adjustable settings can give new detectorists useful feedback while they learn how different targets sound and respond.
The important thing is not simply choosing the most expensive detector. A detector that you understand well can be more useful than a more complicated machine that you haven't learned to operate.
Essential Relic Hunting Gear
Your detector is only one part of the setup. A few basic accessories can make target recovery much easier.
Pinpointer
A handheld pinpointer helps narrow down the exact location of a target after you've dug your initial hole.
Digging Tool
Use a digging tool appropriate for the ground and location. A small hand digger can provide better control than a large shovel in many areas.
Headphones
Headphones make faint signals easier to hear, particularly when hunting in windy or noisy outdoor environments.
Finds Pouch
A pouch keeps recovered targets together while you continue hunting. Keeping trash and potentially valuable finds separated can also make cleanup easier.
Gloves and Outdoor Gear
Gloves can protect your hands when working around rough soil, roots, and debris. Depending on the location and weather, water, suitable footwear, sunscreen, and other basic outdoor equipment can also be important.
Find Good Places to Hunt
Location research is one of the most important parts of successful relic hunting. A detector can only find what is still there, so choosing historically active areas can make a significant difference.
Potential locations may include:
- Old home sites
- Historic farm areas
- Former camps
- Old trails and roads
- Areas around historic buildings
- Former gathering places
- Old recreational areas
- Locations shown on historical maps
Historical maps, property records, old photographs, local history books, and newspaper archives can all provide clues about how an area was used in the past.
Look for places where people regularly lived, worked, traveled, or gathered. These areas often have a greater chance of producing interesting historical objects.
Check Permission and Local Rules
Before detecting, make sure you understand the rules that apply to the location.
Private property generally requires permission from the property owner. Public land can have its own restrictions, and some historically significant or protected areas may prohibit metal detecting entirely.
Don't assume that an interesting historical location is automatically open for detecting. Check the applicable regulations before you begin.
If you discover an object that may have archaeological or historical significance, avoid disturbing it unnecessarily and follow the relevant reporting or preservation requirements.
Responsible detecting protects access to the hobby and helps preserve historically important locations.
Learn Your Detector's Basic Settings
You don't need to master every detector setting on your first day. Start with the basics and learn how each adjustment changes the detector's behavior.
Sensitivity
Higher sensitivity can potentially help detect smaller or deeper targets, but maximum sensitivity isn't always the best choice. Highly mineralized or electrically noisy ground can produce unwanted responses.
Start at a stable setting and increase sensitivity when conditions allow.
Discrimination
Discrimination can help reduce responses from unwanted metals. However, using too much discrimination can also cause you to miss desirable relics.
This is particularly important in relic hunting because historically interesting objects can be made from many different metals.
Target ID
Target ID numbers can provide a useful indication of how a detector is responding to a target. Treat them as information rather than an absolute identification.
Different objects can produce similar readings, and soil conditions can influence the response.
How to Sweep the Search Coil
Your technique matters almost as much as your detector settings.
Keep the search coil relatively close to the ground and move it smoothly from side to side. Avoid lifting the coil dramatically at the ends of each sweep.
Use overlapping passes so you don't leave gaps between sweeps.
When you receive an interesting signal, sweep across it from multiple directions. A target that produces a consistent response from different angles may deserve closer investigation.
Slow down when you're working in a promising area. Swinging too quickly can make it easier to miss smaller targets or misinterpret signals.
How to Dig a Relic Target
Once you've decided to investigate a target, take care with the recovery process.
First, pinpoint the approximate target location. Then use an appropriate digging tool to remove the soil carefully.
In grassy areas, make a clean plug when local conditions allow. Keep removed soil together so the hole can be filled properly afterward.
As you get closer to the target, slow down. Historical objects can be fragile, and careless digging can damage them.
After recovering the target, replace the soil and restore the area as closely as possible to its original condition.
Identify Your Finds Carefully
Finding an object is only the beginning. Identification can sometimes reveal much more about it.
Look at details such as:
- Material
- Shape
- Size
- Markings
- Manufacturer stamps
- Construction style
- Corrosion patterns
- Location where it was found
Avoid aggressively cleaning potentially old artifacts. Scrubbing, polishing, or using harsh chemicals can remove important surface details or damage the object.
Take photographs and record where and when the item was found. Location information can be particularly useful when researching unusual relics.
Common Beginner Mistakes
New detectorists often make the same few mistakes when they start relic hunting.
Using Too Much Discrimination
Filtering out too many target types can mean missing interesting relics.
Running Maximum Sensitivity
More sensitivity isn't automatically better. If the detector becomes unstable, reducing sensitivity can produce cleaner signals.
Swinging Too Quickly
Slow, consistent sweeps make it easier to hear and investigate subtle responses.
Ignoring Research
Randomly detecting without researching the location can waste a lot of time. Historical research can help you focus your effort.
Failing to Recover Targets Responsibly
Leaving holes open or damaging property can create problems for other detectorists. Always leave the area clean.
Tips for Finding More Relics
Once you're comfortable with your detector, small changes in your approach can improve your results.
Research before you hunt. Look at historical maps and learn how the property was used.
Search productive areas systematically. Instead of walking randomly, work through an area using overlapping paths.
Don't reject every iron signal. Some relics may be made from iron or may be surrounded by iron objects.
Try different sweep directions. A target can sometimes respond differently depending on the direction of the coil.
Keep notes. Record useful settings, soil conditions, locations, and interesting finds.
Revisit promising areas. After learning more about your detector, you may recognize signals you previously overlooked.
Buy Metal Detectors at Detector Warehouse
Once you've researched relic hunting and know what type of detector you need, the next step is choosing equipment from a retailer that carries established metal detecting brands.
Detector Warehouse offers metal detectors and detecting equipment for different types of hunting, including coin hunting, relic hunting, and general treasure hunting. Comparing detectors based on their features, operating style, coil options, and intended use can help you choose equipment that matches your experience level and hunting goals.
If you're specifically looking at the Garrett ACE range, the Garrett ACE metal detector can be considered alongside other detectors based on the type of targets and locations you plan to hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginners start relic hunting with a metal detector?
Yes. Beginners can start with an easy-to-use detector and gradually learn how settings, target signals, soil conditions, and recovery techniques affect their results.
What is the best metal detector for relic hunting?
There isn't one detector that is ideal for every relic hunter. Consider the locations you'll hunt, the types of targets you're looking for, soil conditions, detector features, and your experience level.
Can the Garrett ACE 400 find old relics?
The Garrett ACE 400 can be used for relic hunting and provides features such as adjustable settings and target identification that can help detectorists investigate different types of targets.
What settings should I use for relic hunting?
Start with stable sensitivity and moderate discrimination, then adjust based on the ground and targets. The ideal settings can vary considerably between locations.
Where are the best places to find historical relics?
Historically occupied or frequently used areas can be promising, including old homesites, farms, trails, camps, and former gathering places—provided detecting is legally permitted.
Do I need permission to metal detect on private property?
In most cases, you should obtain permission from the property owner before detecting on private property. Always check the laws and rules applicable to your location.
Final Thoughts
Relic hunting combines metal detecting with research, patience, and a little detective work. You don't need to find something valuable every time you go out. An old button, tool, buckle, or other everyday object can still provide an interesting connection to the history of a place.
Start with legal and accessible locations, learn your detector's basic settings, sweep slowly, recover targets carefully, and keep researching. As your experience grows, you'll become better at recognizing promising locations and interpreting the signals beneath your coil.
