Hi Zack Young,
I have hunted pigs in California but, not that far south.
Perhaps 40 years ago, I had taken a few feral and Russian/feral mix hogs, in both Colusa and Lake Counties (N/W of Sacramento about 1.5 to 2 hour drive), two of these with a .44 revolver and factory open sights (S&W Model 29-2) and the rest with various caliber scoped rifles.
These were pretty much nocturnal animals that, only became active just before dark and then disappeared again, into the thickest brush, and steepest canyons imaginable, remaining there throughout the daytime.
People with pig dogs reportedly did real well during daytime hours, by sending said doggies into the thick stuff to roust the hogs but, myself and my friends did not wish to risk our bird dogs on such formidable fighters as pigs can be.
I shot one that weighed probably, somewhere around 300 pounds live weight (from the butcher's estimate when I delivered the headless, gutless, skinless and hoof-less carcass, for sausage processing).
So anyway, we would sneak up on likely food or water sources, just at dawn, as well again as the sun was beginning to set.
In this way, we got some shooting now and then.
Personally, for spot and stalk type pig hunting, I would suggest your scoped 8mm but, only because in feeble twilight, a quality scope will help you to actually see your otherwise pretty much invisible target.
If hunting with hounds (or Airedales, or name your breed), I would go with the iron sighted .308, so as to more easily see "all the players" simultaneously, when there are screeching pigs and yapping dogs, flying in all directions (including straight up in the air sometimes - LOL).
Cheers,
Velo Dog.
