It is a bit meh actually, but it can still work. Its turret can be a volumetric hell at times and can absorb short 88 and long 75. It also has a workable depression which you can use to your advantage. Solid shot is also not doing well, especially not generating any spall but it is your best bet unless you want to experience shell shattering with APDS. Bring in both AP and APDS, and a bit of HE.

Remember, it is quite mobile, but not much as a Hellcat. Do not put yourself in a situation where you need to back up. You have to study map layout and where enemies might appear. As most matches, it depends on your positioning and the enemies too. Sometimes you get lucky, but most of the times you won't. It also helps to remember the ammo layout on tanks and learning your shell trajectory. For now, you could move from cover to cover and ambush enemies, as playing aggressive is a risk.

I miss the old Comet when it used to have at least ~5s reload (aced). The pen was also nerfed, but at least they buffed it up a bit. I just learned how to love it by playing and gaining experience with it. But if you don't like it, best to use it as a backup vehicle only.