DocFlameis there a way to change them without needing to exit the game?
Though it has been a while since I've tried this I think switching between mat_antialias 0/1 works to reload if you do it like this:
-Do not change the weapon txt file. This is not reloaded with mat_antialias so any changes will only happen by restarting tf2
-Instead rename the current crosshair and rename the crosshair you want
-No need to change the vmt files, just need to replace the vtf
example: in txt file it says /thumbnails/crosshair1. But we want crosshair2 to become crosshair1
Rename crosshair1.vtf to crosshair1_old.vtf
Rename crosshair2.vtf to crosshair1.vtf
mat_antialias 0/1 in console, just make sure the value changes. Can change it back to the original value later
The command should lag your game a bit but then you'll have the new crosshair without having to restart
I believe this is a trick of hud editors as well to reload menus