Metal detector for finding archery arrows

[green]

Charted PI decay for a SS bolt. Not same size, maybe close enough?

Not magnetic

[Skippy]

SS is a hard metal to detect, it's a poor conductor of electricity, and as a result is easier to find with a higher operating frequency detector. Think 15-25 kHz, not 5 -8kHz. It will also read very low down the 'conductivity scale' used on many popular detectors, to the extent it could well be ignored in the regular 'motion mode' , and will only show itself clearly in 'Pinpoint mode' ( or other similar modes that some machines have ).
I've just done a quick test with a 25mm long M5 bolt of A2 grade stainless steel, on my Minelab Equinox. Pinpoint mode gets it fine. In single-freq mode, 15KHz was mediocre, giving poor identification. Multi-freq mode was the best, but the ID numbers were really low. So not a great result.

Many detectors hold their value quite well. If you can buy a second-hand one, there's a good chance you could re-sell it for 80-90% of purchase price, if it turns out to not be as useful as you hoped. Avoid those cheap 100 Euro machines, they are usually poor or very poor performers.

Do you have any idea about the specific alloy the arrow tips are made from ? Some high-strength stainless steels, eg. kitchen knives, are actually low chromium, and are quite magnetic. This may make them easier to detect.

[waltr]

I do find old shot arrows when detecting wooded sites. These were hunting broad heads.

SS is harder to detect but since they will not be deep and a fairly largish size almost any detector would find them.
Since you will have a large area to scan go for a larger coil to cover more area per sweep.
Also wouldn't need discrimination so a PI detector would be fine.

Since I only DIY detector I don't have suggestion on a commercial detector.

It will help us if you state what country you live (Europe but which country) in since this will affect what detects are available.

[Mothough]

Hi,

I'm looking for a metal detector to find shallow shot archery arrows which hide just below sward. They completely slide below the grass making them impossible to see by just looking. Only with the help of a rake one might get lucky and hook onto it, however, this becomes very tedious when the location is unclear and the potential search area larger.

The arrows have stainless steel heads which are 4 - 5mm (150 - 200 thou) in diameter, 3 - 5cm (1 - 2 inches) long and have a weight of 5 - 8 grams (0.2 - 0.3 ounces) (see image below).


Looking through the forum I found that there are many different types of metal detectors. I'm not sure which type would fit this use case best and would be grateful for any feedback.
A detection distance of about 10 - 15cm (4 - 6 inches) would already be sufficient (of course more = better) to even find arrows shot into undergrowth without knocking everything down.

I have no idea if stainless makes it hard to detect or if those targets are small or large at this distance. However, I'm very familiar with electronics and would also be capable of soldering a metal detector kit myself.
I would gladly learn more about metal detector technology as another hobby besides archery. I'm also open to buy a commercial one in the 50 - 100 Euro range if that's anything suitable. A lost arrow is about 5 - 10 Euro so 10 recovered arrows would compensate such an expense easy.

Hope someone can point me in the right direction.