Here's something Fresh/SeleniaAngel posted on GameFAQs ages back. Assessing other people's skills is very difficult without videos or details about how fast you kill stuff, so this might help you self-assess.
I think I've found the secret to the veteran's statement that using bow and bowguns is not going to improve your hunting.
Each of us has at some point started the game and each of us has gone better at at. Some at amazingly fast rates, others rather slow. But each of us stepped through the hunter's evolution steps I'm pointing out at one time. The fast adapters moved forward while the people like me lingered longer at some points. Some of us even skipped evolution steps.
I. Hunter Akaryote
What makes it: The Akaryote attacks relentlessly. He feels no pain and gulps healing items in an alarming rate. He is getting hit almost every minute, blocking is not yet discovered and the attack moves are very basic. On his guild card failed quests alternate with cleared ones and his quest reward screen almost always shows -20 Guild points.
His weapons: Any of them, whatever he thinks looks cool. Also: Buttan Mash.
II. Hunter Amphibian
What makes it: The Amphibian has developed a limbic system and can react to the monster's moves. He starts blocking and occasionally he rolls away and out of his own attack combos. His deaths are now fewer but still a full barrage of pots has to be used in quests and the kitty cart show up very often. He still attacks relentlessly.
His weapons: He will now resort to blocking weapons. Mostly SnS and Gunlance, but also the GS and the Lance will be used.
III. Hunter Mammal
What makes it: The Mammal has learned patience and starts studying the monster's movement and attack patterns. He tries to stay out of reach of attacks he notices and attacks when the monster recovers to roll out again and waiting for the next opportunity. He dies less often, yet his quest times are somewhat slow.
His weapons: The Mammal will often use Hammers and ranged weapons. He doesn't need to block anymore, so the heavy hitting hammer fits his tactics just perfectly.
III. Hunter Ape
What makes it: He can roll through some attacks and is on the verge of being a human, but at some times he degrades and gets tossed around. He dies to combos mostly which really enrages him and leads to even more deaths. His anger management sucks but he copes with it and always tries again, for the sake of getting better.
His weapons: The Ape will main Hammers and top tier weapons and snort at lower tiers.
V. Hunter Human
What makes it: The Human has studied all possible attacks, moves and countermoves a monster has. He knows when the monster is about to do which one and he can either stay just outside or roll in the attack, avoiding it in the Moment of Invincibility. He attacks on every occasion, with perfect combos and stays ready when the monster has recovered.
His weapons: Any of them, but mostly effective weapons from the higher tier. Hammer, GS, but he can use them all.
VI. Hunter X-Man
What makes it: The X-Man has is one step ahead of the human. He can fight without armor or uses armor just for looks. In his mind the stagger limits are calculated while he hits the legs of a khezu, so he knows when it will fall and with perfect efficiency does so.
His weapons: Like the human, any of them. Even ranged weapons.
I'm an Ape, still, and I don't see me evolving soon.
Ranged Users: If you are going ranged only you are starting at the Mammal evolution and, like me (but for other reasons) you don't have the chance to evolve any more. You will get better at being a Mammal but you will never evolve to be a Human.