Posted: 7/14/2025 11:35:13 AM EDT
| Me and some buddys were planning to go to the Champion Defense LLC range (it used to be called Panteao I believe) but when calling to confirm they were open and how you get in etc they said that only frangible or training ammo is allowed on the 400, 500, and 600 yard targets. I have never heard of such a thing, what is the purpose just curious? I've read around online and no one else has mentioned this, maybe the person we talked to was misinformed? Does anyone here have experience with this range? Thanks for any info |
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They continue have this statement in the range rules on the website: "Only Frangible ammunition on targets at 400, 500 and 600 yards" Their Facebook page on May 17 lifted the restriction at 400 yds. "frangible ammo will now [still] be used when engaging targets at 500 and 600 yards". The issue in this post and previous Facebook posts is that the neighbors have been doing maintenance near the property line. |
"If you have authentic memories, you have real human responses." - Dr. Ana Stelline, Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
"What I thought was gonna be the death of me was my saving grace" - Luke Combs, When It Rains It Pours
"What I thought was gonna be the death of me was my saving grace" - Luke Combs, When It Rains It Pours
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Originally Posted By rock71: It’s a good range. I think they’ve had some issues with rounds escaping the range. Shooting frangible at extended range is exactly the opposite of what most people want to do. That’s where people dial in loads and DOPE. Yeah that's what was so strange to me, at those distances is where you actually want good ammo. |
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Originally Posted By MitchbSC: They continue have this statement in the range rules on the website: "Only Frangible ammunition on targets at 400, 500 and 600 yards" Their Facebook page on May 17 lifted the restriction at 400 yds. "frangible ammo will now [still] be used when engaging targets at 500 and 600 yards". The issue in this post and previous Facebook posts is that the neighbors have been doing maintenance near the property line. Ah this seems to explain it, I guess its just a temporary thing. Thanks for the info |
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Even a touch more nuanced, it's not bullets leaving the range. It's jacket fragmentation from rounds on steel doing what fragments tend to do. |
"If you have authentic memories, you have real human responses." - Dr. Ana Stelline, Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
"What I thought was gonna be the death of me was my saving grace" - Luke Combs, When It Rains It Pours
"What I thought was gonna be the death of me was my saving grace" - Luke Combs, When It Rains It Pours
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A little spendy and you have to watch their calendar for open range days, IIRC. https://www.sawmillttc.com/ |
"If you have authentic memories, you have real human responses." - Dr. Ana Stelline, Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
"What I thought was gonna be the death of me was my saving grace" - Luke Combs, When It Rains It Pours
"What I thought was gonna be the death of me was my saving grace" - Luke Combs, When It Rains It Pours
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Nice place but yes they have some strict and weird rules, especially on rifle usage. You are either shooting normal ammo, always supported(no freehand) at 300yds or in, or frangible. They have a general purpose bay but can only shoot frangible rifle ammo there too. There is no place you can stand up and shoot a rifle with normal ammo on the entire range. |
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Originally Posted By MitchbSC: Champion Defense Shooting Complex and Sportsman’s Club announced in email this evening they're closing effective April 20, 2026.  That’s a shame. For a long time, it was the most affordable and accessible place, with those types of facilities. |
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Originally Posted By MarkBinSC: That’s bad news when ranges shut down. Any reasons why they are closing? Originally Posted By MarkBinSC: That’s bad news when ranges shut down. Any reasons why they are closing? The text of the email: FAREWELL Dear fellow Champions, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close the Champion Defense Shooting Complex and Sportsman’s Club, effective April 20, 2026. This was a difficult decision made by our family after considering multiple factors. We are deeply proud of the community we built, the conservation efforts we supported, and the safe, welcoming space we provided for the 2A community and firearm enthusiasts over the past three years. Though the current facility will close, we are considering reopening at another location in the future. We will take some time to enjoy our family and take a much-needed break. We truly feel blessed that we were able to serve such an amazing group of people. We will miss each one of you and the time we spent building our facility. This isn't the end; it's the start of a new beginning. Thank you for being valuable members of our Champion Family. What this means for You: · Property Retrieval: If you have FFL Transfers due to arrive at our facility, please notify your shipping FFL to select another location for your transfer. If you have consignment items or gear stored on-site, please arrange to pick them up by May 1, 2026, by contacting customer service at [email protected]. · Moving Sale: Moving Mega Sale!! All items most go!! 20% to 30% off of select Firearms, accessories and range equipment. Sale ends 20 April 2026. Please visit our range office for a list of Range equipment that we are selling; range equipment sale will take place on 20 April 2026 from 11am to 3pm. · Memberships ONLY: All members who obtained a membership from April 20, 2025 to April 20, 2026, will receive a prorated refund of their membership cost. Please submit your refund request by Jun 1, 2026; fill out the members refund form at the provided link. [link redacted by MitchbSC] · Member's grandfather clause: If a new club is formed, all current members in good standing will automatically be added as members of the new club their first year. Those who elect to renew their membership at the new club will receive a 50% discount on their membership for their second-year renewal. Thank you for being a part of the Champion family! Jay Harris President/CEO Champion Defense LLC Champion Defense Shooting Complex eta: from their Facespace: "to answer a commonly asked question... We still have the businesses yall. Just no range... for now". Also in the comments: "the land is not for sale" |
If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
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Back in the day, things were less uptight. I did several training days, for The Tactical Games, out there, on day passes. I also did some pretty decent classes on what used to be called the “360” range. Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By AF89: Considering the previous owner was sued a few years ago, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone on a neighboring property engaged in more lawfare to cause the funky rules, and ultimately, the present shut down. I know that people working on the nearby power lines used to complain of rounds escaping the range. |
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