When you say "loot just enough", what are we talking about here? IMO, in solo, you shouldn't stop looting until you have full level 2 gear, plenty of meds, a long range gun (either a sniper or M16 with at least a 4x scope) and a fully auto assault rifle with pretty much maxed out attachments. If you're expecting to pick up just barebones stuff and win, you're going to be disappointed. There's a TON of luck involved in this game, (and yes, occasionally you'll just die to some camper) but finding a lvl 3 vest or a silencer can really get you over the top, so you really shouldn't stop looting until at least like 4th or 5 circle.
If you play the game just trying to get into the top 25 or so, you wont get better. As you've discovered, you can pretty much guarantee top 25 probably 75% of the time if you dont drop on either school or military base and dont lose a 1 v 1 against someone who drops right near you in a less busy area. Its not really an accomplishment once you've learned the basics of the game. Gotta be aggressive to get yourself a better chance at game-winning gear and the best end-game position. At this point, the only time I really camp is if I get lucky with early game gear (basically getting all the stuff on my list above) AND happen to pick a mid-game building that ends up in like 3 circles in a row until there's like 15 people left. If that doesn't happen, I start working the edges of the circle trying to simultaneously pick off late arrivals/careless movers and keep a majority of the blue in front of me.
I'd much rather get 4 or 5 kills and finish 15th than get 1 kill and finish 5th. But that's me
I've been making a lot of top 5's lately (while playing pretty aggressively in the mid-game) but I've had some problems closing the deal. Need to work on my grenade skills for sure. It has cost me a few times. (and I've been flushed out and killed by guys who were good with them even though I had superior position and gear)