Gun skill only raises your ability to actually hit a target. If you wish to do more damage, use a better weapon.
For example, you could start using AP ammo and a pancor jackhammer instead.
You need to have items in your ACTIVE weaponslot to gain a bonus. This also explains why you see so few people walk around with medkits.
Builds:
General (RT) PvP Rocketeer tank: Cookie cutter stuff
"no drug" builds don't exist. Drugs blatantly make you more powerfull.
You do not have to use them however, but expect to take more damage than your enemy.
Use LSW and RL
Get your doctor to 100% with levels you gain after 24.
TB only: LSW triple burst
For the broken mechanic called TB, comes with 16AP (on jet) to walk and can perform triple bursts (LSW) with a +ap weapon or armor (when on jet).
Do NOT pop beer on this build. TB is based on sequence, which is mostly based of your PE. You don't want your enemy to go first, now do you?
This build obviously will not do well in RT.
There's a few more viable builds out there, but since I suspect that you do not have acces to gatling lasers, I will leave those out for now. The LSW is fairly easy to get, buy and craft. So it should not be a big issue for you to get.
Onwards to the 60% minimum condition. When people talk about this, they talk about armor. Armor below the wall of <50% has a chance to not protect you from damage at all (calculated per bullet), resulting in really painfull hits. Therefore, you want to wear 50%> armor. 60% is simply mentioned since your armor might degrade during combat, and you REALLY dont want it to go <50%.
Both SG, BG and even EW can be used to farm enclave patrols. Just ensure a good position, proper build (BRD/MRD) and gear. (Gatling laser EW, XL SG and avenger BG)
Yes a brahmin won't dissapear if you log off. However instead just pop some mentats and beer, and get yourself a SCOUT (ask him for specialized dogs) dog at junktown. price = 500 caps. They come with 120% ODM. Getting yourself a companion would be even better.
Edit: On traps, people use lockpicking as this is universally needed. Typically the only trap you will ever face are beartraps, which dont do much damage and will at worst cripple your leg. Meanwhile lockpicking is used for lockers, treasure chests and even cars. Making it far more usseful.
If you have more questions you can pm me or post them here.