RE: Rotor head setup
Try upping your swash mix? Thats what it is called on JR radios at least. On my XP7202 I have it set mild to 50%, bumping that to 60% presented some interesting clearance issues with the main gear and the servo horns, I trimmed them to rid the clearance issue, but backed back off the mix until I get better and need the extreme travel.
As long as you motor does not bog with the massive pitch, you should be ok. This should give your cyclic a much more sensitive feel, as the same range of motion on the TX will translate to more aggresive cyclic on the bird.
I think I read your question right, and I always get mixed up on collective, and cyclic pitch.
Pete