It seems that between .65 and .7" at the muzzle, with that big of a hole in the barrel (grin), is just about perfecto! I can't imagine being much thinner than that, seems that the barrel walls would be pretty darn thin. I really, really can like how this rig balances with the weight out front. I need to drift out the front sight still, but it is looking like a rifle that will be hard to leave at home!