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There are multiple in-depth discussions in recent weeks about stability of short/fat rockets. The conclusion that seems to be tentatively (OK, adamantly by some, and others open to it) accepted in them at this point is that a more appropriate denominator than airframe diameter is overall rocket length. Targeting somewhere in the range of 8 to 15 percent of overall rocket length works well. It is especially more useful and safer than "calibers" on both short/fat rockets and long/skinny rockets.
OK, I have sinned. Quoting stuff that's oft-repeated without knowing the original source.
I've been googling for much of the evening, reading old NACA/NASA/MIL papers about sounding rocket and projectile design and stability. Still haven't found the source for the 8 to 15 percent.
Does anyone know where it comes from, or even have a reference that cites it so I could start tracing down through their references?