I see the Winchester pigeon load information above and notice the absence of any #8 shot offerings. Homer most certainly shot 8's in both barrels at this and all other flyers he shot at. He frequently quoted a favorite quip......
"If you want to Kill pigeons shoot 7 1/2s; if you want to WIN Pigeon shoots , shoot 8's"
(whether he was the original author of the line or not is still a question).