As mentioned above, the Sensitivity settings (Controls Options, Sensitivity) are very important to what I think you’re trying to achieve. Although I use a yoke and pedals, to get to where I could control the Cessna 152 and 172 (as well as other planes) as needed to get high marks in the Basic Training section of MSFS, I had to set Sensitivity - and + to as high as 75% on the elevator ad 35% on the ailerons. Dead zones were set to 5% to 9%. Don’t be afraid to experiment to get things the way you want.