No, not all springs are linear in their action - eh, that's not a trick question is it? In that they all move one way, and then back; therefore along a line...

???
I took it to mean that they have "rates of change" that are all linear; which is not the case (naturally) - a lot of Ducati shock springs are very obviously wound differently (visually closer together at one end - Monster 750 for EG); as are some others on Jap brands - whereas the more subtly progressive types might have a mild taper, or have the ends of the coils open (which can then close together at 1/3 or mid stroke - all of those factors will allow the rate of change (spring rate) to alter slightly as it actions...
As to your spring selection for 76 keez - hmm, I would stick with the stock rate unless the valving gets altered - sounds weird right? But the fact remains that different manufacturers do run vastly different spring rates depending on how they want to try and control the wheel through the linkage - WP on yours vs. Öhlin's for a good example...
Have you tried the rear @ around 24mm rider sag yet?