Finding a Civil War Cannonball with the Garrett AT Pro

Written and tested by Bart Davis, Big Boys Hobbies

Back in December 2011, I went relic hunting at a Civil War site here in Oklahoma with Steve Moore from Garrett Metal Detectors. I’m a coin shooter at heart, but after a day of finding old bullets and buttons, my Garrett AT Pro turned up something I hadn’t expected: a cannonball.

Watch the Cannonball Find

Garrett filmed the hunt. In the clip, you can see the find and hear what the AT Pro sounded like in the field.

Watch the cannonball find on Garrett’s YouTube channel.

What the Garrett AT Pro Showed

I was using the stock 8.5 × 11-inch DD search coil. The target rang in at 98 and 99 on the AT Pro’s display. The ball measured about 3½ inches across. From the reference charts I checked at the time, I thought it might be a six-pounder.

It was around 30 degrees that day, and finding that cannonball warmed me right up. I thank the man upstairs for a great find and a good day out with friends. This hunt just might have made a relic hunter out of me.

Found a Cannonball? Put Safety First

Not every Civil War cannonball is a solid iron ball. Many were hollow shells packed with black powder, and some of them can still be dangerous more than 150 years later. If you dig up artillery and you aren’t certain it’s solid shot:

• Don’t try to clean it, tap on it, drill it, heat it or remove a fuse.
• If it’s still in the ground, leave it there. Take photos and mark the spot.
• Call your local police department. They can bring in a bomb squad or military ordnance team to check it.

A great find isn’t worth getting hurt over. Let the professionals decide whether it’s safe.

Get Permission Before You Hunt Relic Sites

Many of the best Civil War sites are protected. Metal detecting and relic collecting are prohibited on national battlefields, in national parks and on most other federal land, and state rules vary. Private land is where most relic hunters work, and it should always be with the landowner’s permission, ideally in writing. Talk with the landowner ahead of time about how finds will be shared.

Choosing a Detector for Relic Hunting

Relic sites are usually full of iron, so you want a detector that separates good targets from nails and handles mineralized ground. These are the detectors I point most relic hunters toward today:

• Nokta Legend 2: dedicated Relic mode, simultaneous multi-frequency and a 1–99 Target ID. A strong all-around pick for relics, coins and beaches.
• Nokta Triple Score Pro Pack: Relic mode, multi-frequency plus a 4 kHz option, with two coils and wireless headphones in the box.
• Minelab Manticore: Minelab’s high-performance multi-frequency detector for serious relic and coin hunters.
• Minelab Equinox 900: waterproof Multi-IQ multi-frequency that handles trashy relic sites and changing ground.
• XP Deus II: lightweight, fully wireless multi-frequency detector that’s popular with relic hunters who cover a lot of ground.

Not sure which fits your sites? Call or text me at 405-206-9010 and tell me where you hunt.

Cannonball and Relic Hunting FAQ

Can a metal detector find cannonballs?

Yes. A cannonball is a large iron target, so most detectors will pick one up, often from well below the surface. Because of its size, a big iron object doesn’t always read as iron. Mine read 98–99 on the AT Pro, so dig large, solid signals on relic sites even when the Target ID looks high.

What is the best metal detector for relic hunting?

Look for good iron separation, ground balance and multi-frequency performance. The Nokta Legend 2, Triple Score, Minelab Manticore, Equinox 900 and XP Deus II are all strong choices, depending on your budget.

Is it legal to keep Civil War relics I find?

On private land, with the landowner’s permission, finds can generally be kept as you and the owner agree. Relics on national battlefields, national parks and other federal land are protected and may not be removed. State and local rules vary, so check before you hunt.

What should I do if I dig up a cannonball?

Treat it as potentially live until an expert says otherwise. Don’t clean, drill or heat it. Leave it in place if you can, take photos and call your local police department.

How big is a six-pounder cannonball?

A six-pounder solid shot is roughly 3½ inches in diameter, which is why I thought mine might be one. Size alone isn’t proof, so have a relic expert look at anything you plan to identify or sell.

More from the Hunt

For the rest of the trip, watch the full relic hunt with Steve Moore.

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