In my experience, as long as you're good with the sniper, you're still going to win. I don't think I have yet got second in sniper fight and I never picked up a different weapon. When a lot of times others kids WERE picking up weapons. If you care that much about getting 1st/the cR then pick up a fuel rod, if you care about having fun and using the sniper because it's awesome, then get better with it, or get 2nd (or 3rd or 4th)