Fort Valley Gun Club

Fort Valley Gun Club started with a simple goal: give local shooters a safe place to compete and practice. Over 60 years later, it's still doing exactly that. Located on 25 acres roughly two miles west of Fort Valley off Highway 96, FVGC is an NRA-affiliated organization that focuses on rifle and pistol competitions.

Here's the key thing: all monthly matches are open to the public. You don't have to be a member to show up and shoot.

The club operates three separate range complexes:

• •Upper Range — Rails and berms for NRA .22 Silhouette matches. Big bore silhouette shooting at 100, 150, and 200 meters. Covered firing points with concrete and wooden benches for paper target practice.

• •Lower Pistol Range Complex — 25 and 50 yard berms for pistols and small-bore rifles. 100 yard berm for rifle sighting and target shooting. Covered firing points with benches at the 50 and 100 yard stations.

• •Founder's Legacy Range — The newest facility (added January 2011). Berms at 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 yards. Four benches available for sighting in and benchrest matches, plus used as back braces for "Buffalo Stakes" shooting.

Matches run year-round. Here's what's currently on the calendar:

Membership is by invitation and requires endorsement from two active members in good standing. The club caps membership at 150 people. Turnover is small (1-5 members annually).

• •Annual dues: $100
• •Life membership: $1,000 (limited to 30 members, rare availability)

If you don't know current members, start by participating in public matches. Volunteers for annual work days (posted on the calendar) are also a good way to get introduced to the club.

• •From Butler/Reynolds: Head east on HWY 96, turn right at the intersection (watch for CONN 49/540 signs pointing straight), then immediately right onto Gun Club Rd. Follow pavement to gravel, cross railroad tracks to the gates.

• •From Fort Valley/Warner Robins: Head west on HWY 96 through town. At mile marker 2, turn left onto Gun Club Rd.

• •From Byron: Head toward Fort Valley on HWY 49, follow signs to HWY 96 WEST. At mile marker 2, turn left onto Gun Club Rd.

Warning: Once on Gun Club Rd, do not speed through the housing area. There are children and pets.

• •President: Butch Bennett
• •Vice President: Jeff Sohler
• •Secretary/Treasurer: Robert Hanlin
• •Range Officer: Allen Ross

FVGC provides free downloadable targets and guides for members and shooters:

• •100 yard centerfire benchrest practice target
• •200 yard centerfire benchrest half target
• •IDPA tactical 1/3 scale target
• •Silhouette match practice target set

They also link to guides on firearm safety, Learn to Shoot 101, concealed carry tips, and various shooting disciplines.

Active members can post shooting-related items for sale or trade on the club's member board. Non-members can purchase but cannot list. The club accepts no responsibility for private transactions between members and buyers.