Of note:

*@2601:a:f00:1f::/64
*@2601:a:f00:1f:*

Appears to have the same effect on IRC networks. However, CIDR is significantly cleaner and more in line with what you're trying to do in the first place: ban a network from accessing the IRC channel.

Banning whole networks rather than individual hosts becomes extremely important as the march toward IPv6 continues.