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Well I really enjoy sniping and consider myself a good shot, so I would thought I would share all the things I have learned that have helped me become an excellent sniper. Here's a somewhat organized list of tips, tricks, and hints. I'll update this and try to organize it more when I can.
---General Sniping---
1. Hardware settings - many people ask me what type of mouse I use and what sensitivity and blah blah blah. These are all personal preference and there is no correct sensitivity to become a good sniper. However, I don't suggest using a really low sensitivity as being a good sniper can require quick movements (while aiming).
2. Headshots - Go for these from day one, I can't stress this enough. As soon as a sniper relies on body shots for kills it becomes a habit that's hard to break. Plus headshot's have two benefits. 1. Always critical hits. 2. Headshot kills reward 2 points! (If you care about points). The only class I don't suggest always trying your hardest to headshot is scout, you got to have lightning reflexes and superb aim to headshot a scout while hes flying around the screen. Note this does not mean to avoid body shots, take what you can get, but if you can aim for the head, do it.
3. Expect to miss A LOT while you first start playing sniper. Just be patient and don't get sloppy/desparate (aka only going for body shots). On this note, ammo is expendable, so use it up! Shoot shoot shoot no matter if you miss/hit/kill.
4. Zooming/Charging - The longer you zoom, the more damage the shot will deal. Heres a brief guide as to how much charge is required to Headshot and kill the different classes.Obviously the previous class range is included with the higher charges.
<25% charge (bassically shooting right after you zoom) - Medic, Engineer, Scout, Spy, Sniper
~25-75% charge - Pyro, Demoman, Soldier (pyro is more towards 25%, demo ~50, soldier ~75%)
>75% charge - Heavy
100% charge - Heavy with or without medic buff
*A full charged body shot will generally kill any class but the heavy.
**Move a class up to the next level if they are medic buffed.
The reason this list is important is you don't want to waste time overkilling someone. And on the contrary you don't want to rush a shot, chances are if you hit but don't kill them, their going to retreat and heal up. So make that shot count and drop em!
5. No Scope - Many people don't realize that unlike games like Counter-strike, where no-scope shots are extremely inaccurate, no-scopes in TF2 are very accurate (aka the bullet will hit where your dot would be if you were zooming). This doesn't mean you should use this to snipe, but if someone jumps you and there right in front of you, a no-scope will probably hurt them, then a quick switch to the smg or melee to finish em off.
6. Engineer buildings - Sniper shots surprisingly do a good amount of damage to engineer buildings (about 3-4 shots to take out a level 3 sentry, depending on charge level). Just remember to kill the engy first! (They usually come running in to repair it making them an easy target for a quick headshot). *Edit - A half-full charge shot will kill an engy on any location, shoot whatever shows.
7. Aiming - *Edit - As far as aiming, I find it I'm more successfull leading a headshot than chasing one. Also I want to note that you only need to see half of their head to get a headshot, as long as the middle of the dot is on any part of their head. And headshots from the back are possible for all classes, though for classes like demo, its more in the neck area that will get you a headshot.
8. Zooming/waiting. If your waiting for an enemy to turn the corner, put your dot on the edge of the corner/wall, so he cant see it. Aka don't give away your position.
9. Ubers - If an uber is coming your way just run lol. Even if you already zoomed and about to get some one, its not worth dying for.
10. Spies - Spies are the snipers arch-enemy. But it took me awhile to realize that they aren't worth getting paranoid about. Your going to miss out on tons of kills if you constantly turn around to see if your about to be backstabbed. Theres nothing you can really do about thwarting spies. So basically what I'm trying to say is, don't change your game because of one spy that keeps messing with you. However, obviously if you bump into one or sense one is around, whip the kukri out and start swinging.
11. Don't taunt - Not only does this leave you vulnerable to anyone for 2-3 seconds. But your missing out on more kills! As soon as I get a kill I immediately get back into zoom and either way for the next person in sight or am taking more shots at enemies battling your teammates. Besides, your more classy than a 8 year old, so leave the taunting for them.
12. Medics - Always go for a medic first, especially when their healing someone. Reasons? 1. They only take a quick headshot. 2. The people they are healing will have a medic buff, making them harder to kill. 3. They could have or almost have a uber ready, making two less people you can't kill. Also don't expect heal's from friendly medics, since the sniper isn't a "uber" class, chances are they could care less of your health, lame I know but don't cry about it. Snipers are a self-reliant class.
13. Beginning of matches - Let everyone run ahead of you then catch up. This is so they can be decoys while you sit back and take nubs out.
14. Twitch-aiming - This is self-taught. I can't think of any ways to help people with this other then to just keep playing.
---Sniper Wars--- This is a whole different section because sniper battles require a vastly different play style.
1. *Edit - There are two common scenario's for a sniper war. The first being the enemy sniper doesn't know where you are. In which I suggest zooming first then strafing out(if your charged enough any shot on him will seal the deal). If he knows where you are, or are going to be, jump or run out then zoom and go for the headshot. Note - A quick zoomed body shot will not kill a full health sniper.
2. If you miss in a sniper war, duck immediately after. Chances are if you miss, hes about to shoot so duck to avoid a headshot!
3. Change locations (if applicable). For example if in the first shot exchange you both miss, move to a different spot.
4. If he hurts you but you don't die & you miss, swallow your pride and go heal yourself. (IF you hit too stay out there.) Who cares if he/she thinks your a panzy. Besides, by the time you get back he may be distracted by one of your teammates to shoot someone else, allowing you a free shot at him.
5. Don't stand still - Believe it or not, I find my aim is better when I constantly strafe left to right, it keeps my hands moving so I'm ready to aim real quick. When you stand still your reactions seem to slow down, as if you are not paying as much attention. This applies to all sniping, not just sniper wars.
6. Interruptions - If you got other enemies coming after ya, just drop the sniper war and deal with them.
7. If you know where a sniper is, or a common place for a sniper to be. Zoom in, strafe out, shoot(even if they arent there) and strafe right back in (out of their sight), this whole process should only take 2-3 seconds.. It's all about speed, you pop your head out real quick, shoot, then retreat back. DO NOT stay in their sight if you miss (as I stated earlier).
That's all for now. Feel free to post constructive criticism, feedback, compliments or questions!
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your first sniper war tip is terrible imo, strafe out and scope on their head and shoot, don't strafe out scoped, your too slow. a small change to the engie tip is that a body shot is often a neccessity here, the building or his surroundings could block the shot, just charge up and shoot where you think there is an opening. remeber that shooting someone's foot does the same amount of damage as a shot to the stomach.
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just fine for general sniping tips, im terrible at sniping tho
also welcome to TF2F!
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Step 4 in the sniper wars section I disagree with. If the sniper you're warring doesn't headshot you, and you're still alive, you hold the upper hand, and should spend this time not running to health, but trying to headshot him. Also, snipers have low enough health that a fully charged body shot will kill them. Therefore, if you are charged and a sniper pops out, do not waste any time in shooting him regardless of where your crosshairs fall; it will kill him regardless, and a split second of waiting can mean your death instead of his.
Another thing I disagree with is leading enemies: putting your sniper crosshairs ahead of where an enemy is headed is not always effective. If they're good, and they know there's a sniper on the map, they won't be moving in straight lines, and will either be strafing or jumping or ducking or whatever they can to avoid being headshotted. Therefore, twitch aiming is very important for a sniper to master. If you can master twitching to the enemies' head and firing regardless of what that enemy is doing or where he is going, you're deadly.
Also, I think that body shots are underrated in a heavy firefight. If you're in the background trying to get a clear shot on a bunch of sollys and demos squaring off, any damage you can dish out helps your guys at the front lines. Of course you should be aiming high, consistently near their head, but if you hesitate too much trying to get a clear shot on their head you're not going to be very helpful. This is why it is important for snipers to take a lot of shots; you should never try too hard to hit the perfect shot.
Edit: One last tip: the sniper rifle is underused in medium range. I have consistently managed to get kills on enemies trying to run and melee or flame me by quickly scoping and firing near their head. It is a risky move; sometimes it is better to just try to retreat into the safety of allies. However, if you can get good at this, you are significantly more self-sufficient than if you just pulled out the smg or kukri. Minor note: No-scope headshots are EPIC.
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What I meant by body/stomach is anywhere thats not the head, thanks for calling me out on that though, ill re-word it. As for the first sniper war tip, ill split that into two scenarios as I do believe it matters on the situation.
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I agree with the constant moving around when in a sniper war (and really at anytime). Having played Day of Defeat:Source competively, I've learned just some small, random movements while scoped can throw off enemy snipers. But i must disagree on one thing: Taunting is always welcomed, especially when having a particularly impressive kill (like headshot-ing a running scout  )
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Alright thanks for all the feedback so far guys. Obviously I couldn't write a perfect guide on my first try but I'll get this polished in the days to come with everyones help. I plan to add a section regarding use of smg and kukri soon. As well as to deal with various classes. And I REFUSE to say taunting is 'Helpful" or "suggested" in sniping. Technically speaking, for the good of YOUR TEAM, taunting does not help! The fact that a good sniper can kill several people in 2-3 seconds defeats any and all purposes of wasting time taunting! And don't even think about saying you've never been killed while taunting! 
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Just a quick mentioning of spies: many times I have killed spies inbetween shots of the sniper rifle with the kukri. It's true you can't let them disrupt your entire game, but you can't just submit to the spies' wrath either. Try to find a balance between scoping when you think enemies are coming or are visible, and pulling out the kukri when you think it's unneccessary to scope anyhow.
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I think the one thing that has helped me most in my sniping was to take a lot of shots. Take a lot of shots, and you will do exponentially better. Even if you aren't that accurate, it doesn't matter. Just keep on shooting, you have the ammo. If you can't get a headshot, fuck it, we'll do it live -er- don't underestimate body shots. You have to get the job done, it doesn't have to be pretty or elegant.
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The reason I stress headshots so much is they will make you a deadly and feared sniper, though that needs go not said. I never said to avoid body shots, there are times when body shots are helpful, but I believe the best snipers out there are those that go for headshot first and body shot second. Body shots probably make up about 30% of my kills (some being ones that I clearly thought were a headshot but were registered as a regular sniper kill). Also body shot kills are usually my twitch kills.
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