I started with 10/22's in the 70's, walked away from shooting in the 90's, got back into it 2008 or so. CZ 455 tacticool was a big factor for me on really understanding ballistics and related conditions. I've got 8k+ rounds through it so far and am going to use it at an upcoming appleseed, so soon to be 8500+ rounds. I don't regret getting the CZ , it's reliable and it's magazines work. It needed bedding and pillars, an extended bolt knob, and an adjustable cheek rest to really be useful, but once that was all done, it was winning steel matches with a stock barrel and trigger (set to 1.5 lbs ). Maybe I got lucky with the factory barrel, it holds just a little over 5/8 inch at 50 yards or about 1.25-1.5 MOA, definitely not a bench rest rifle but way adequate for it's steel shooting application.
So $ wise, the CZ is very good on return with about $300 additional to get it to that state if you have someone else do the work. Figure another $6-900 for aftermarket barrel and bolt work to get it to the next level, but to get to the next higher level it's going to have to go to a quality smith like DJ and at that point you have $2-3k into it. I'll say this for the CZ, I am very comfortable with it and not afraid to put it through the ringer. It takes a lot of abuse and keeps shooting well. Kind of like having an old reliable car, you don't care if it gets door dings in the parking lot anymore and it just keeps going.
10/22 Road ended at the KIDD shop. That is where you will eventually go, or Volquertsen. Tony Kidd's work and products are just something to admire and they are accurate. Comparison to a factory 10/22 is not even fair, but you will be in the $12-1500 area depending on stock choice, more for an equivalent Volquartsen. Downfall of the platform is cleaning it. Dirt will cause malfunctions and magazines can cause issues when they get dirty or worn springs.
The Vudoo is in another class entirely, as well it should be as the difference in price is substantial. To date my only minor bitches with the vudoo have to do with weight and the Vudoo bottom metal mag release configuration. Weight is my fault as I should have ordered their mid sized barrel profile in 16" instead of the heavy kukri profile at 18", I'm at almost 14 pounds with optics and accessories and stock choice. Mag release needs to be extended in my opinion and Vudoo has reached out to me on this issue, I just need to act on it. Other than that, the Vudoo has been like driving a very high end performance luxury vehicle compared to an economy car. Both will get you from A to B, but one does a lot better on the track and the difference is compelling.
If I had to pare down to one .22, I'd grab the Vudoo, but the KIDD would be next.
