Long story short - I lust after them, but even considering a new NRL22/practice trainer in a 700 footprint, I’m leaning more towards a CZ in a Manners for the lower cost. Feels more logical to spend rimfire money on a rimfire rifle, even as illogical as that really is.
The first I saw in person were last spring. I hung out with the Armageddon Gear guys at NRAAM last year, and their booth/Truck was set up right beside the Vudoo’s. Perfect placement - I’ve been lusting over the idea of a Vudoo in a J.Allen chassis ever since (unfortunately, we’ll remain to see what MDT does with J.Allen assets). I’ve seen a couple others in Manners stocks since then (more sensible, if such a thing can be) at NRL22 matches here, and I know more and more guys getting into them around here.
Competition-wise, I don’t think your CZ is giving up anything to the Vudoo. Maybe a little wonky on magazines, but still not a major issue. The price difference can really only be justified, for me, by commonality with my centerfire match rifle - I see a lot of value in having identical rifles, even if I’m certain it’s faster and less destabilizing to run the Vudoo short throw, and doing so would absolutely cause me to choke my centerfire on the clock. If you were ONLY competing rimfire, then the advantage of commonality evaporated, and the extra cost is exceptionally hard to justify.
Admittedly, I’m anxious to put my eyes and hands on the new 700 footprint 22LR from Bergara. Not at all expecting it to be in the same class as the Vudoo, but it’ll have the 700 clone analogy, with a much lower cost. If they prove to be as accurate as the CZ’s, then I know I’ll buy one. If not, then it’ll be a budget cycle matter, dependent upon how long I can sit on a cashpile big enough to build a CZ, but not big enough to buy a Vudoo without running out of patience.