core sampler for test holes?

[TurtleMan]

I was wondering if anyone out there uses or even has herd of useing a core smpler device to dig their test holes? I was thinking of trying a lagth of pipe 4-5 foot long, 4 to 6 inches in diamiter, and sharp at one end. Pound or screw it into the ground, remove the plug and then there wouldn't you have the strata for examination? Would this even be fesable? I was watching the weather channel the other day and they were takeing core samples from lakes to study thousands of years of climit change, and thought that one might work for makeing test holes. Digging artifact-wise i'm a total noob but have been playing in the dirt my whole life and would like to start. what do you all use? I have sovels and spades, I would like to build a screen to sift with. But I was wondering what was the best mesh size to use, to capture the most material, but also not get cloged with dirt. If anyone out there has a tip or two that you would be willing to part with feel free to leave 'em lyin' around.

[etley]

easyest way roundpoint shuvel