IMO, snipers can be balanced with 2 small changes. #1 increase flinch when hard scoped; the goal would be to make it next to impossible to land any shots while taking fire. #2 take the aim assist down a bit; the goal being to make quick scopes less reliable. These changes would, IMO, make snipers less of a reactionary weapon and encourage players to work on recognizing choke points and increasing overall map awareness. Players who are already skilled at sniping wouldn't have to adjust too much as they have already developed good thumb skills and map awareness, and newbs would be required to put some more effort into getting good with sniper rifles.