I am kinda new to the game and trying to spec as a sniper but I think that there is more than the damage which is handled like crazy, especially for snipers:

I think it is crazy to work with + and - % on the damage and this is true with all weapons. If I have a weapon I should deal 100% damage in its range and have a drop effect after the optimal range (like they did now with 1.2). If we have to consider the efficacy of the weapon on armor or shield then I should be able to deal 100% against the specific target and something less against other targets (lets say my weapon is good against armor, then I should deal 100% against it and maybe 90% on shields). In this way things would be easier and CCP could play on the nominal damage iteself, on the drop against distance and on the drop over not specific target.

Secondly, and most importantly for snipers, I think headshots should kill anyway as long as they are carried at least in the optimal range...we are in the future and use ultrasonic bullets so, if a bullet can go through the dropsuit and deal damage to the body inside, then an headshot should kill... this should be true also for other weapons. Also on this point things things would get easier and more realistic allowing CCP to play on weapon stats, especially range...

In this way we keep a high level of challange for who wants to become snipers but in the same time we allow even a newly come to take out a proto enemy if he is good enough to place a headshot or if the enemy is so stupid to stand still in the open...and for the less skilled snipers it would be still difficult if not impossible to kill, having to deliver 2 to 6 bodyshots...

As for the optimal range of sniper rifles, I read they are something around 600m but someone states that, due to rendering, it is not possible to hit over about 400m. I did not checked personally, but I have beed killed from about 580 and we were shooting each other, I even shot first and was able to shot two rounds before him. Though I was not able to hit him but I guess it is my fault...anyone can confirm this or have information on the new ranges in 1.2?

As for MCC sniping I agree it should not be possible. I consider it like cheating or MCC SP farming...