The Blaser caliber 8.5x55 is a high-performance caliber developed by Blaser specifically for firearms with short barrels - ideal, for example, for the Blaser R8 Silence, which has a 42 cm barrel under the integral silencer. 

Short barrels result in the cartridge not being able to fully utilize its energy potential. Cartridges in the 8.5x55 caliber are more compact than, for example, the .300 Win Mag and are sometimes referred to as a “tuned” version of the .308 Winchester. The cartridge is suitable for all European game.