Free reload works just fine, but I'd much preffer it to be an activatable ability instead of "first two reloads are free" since if I don't pay attention I end up using up free reloads in non-combat turns.

Free reload is only ever useful on snipers though since now in XCOM 2 reloading no longer ends your turn, so you can reload and shoot in the same turn, unless you need both actions to shoot (like in the case of snipers).