To get started.. Get a loading manual, read the intro section.. then re-read it.. a few times.
Lets you get familiar with terms & steps of the process.
Lyman & Hornady manuals cover all you really need to know to get started. Get either or both.
Lyman even makes a separate manual for shooting / loading Cast bullets
May even find them in your local library.
My belief & experience is it's easier to start hand loading with straight walled pistol cartridges (i.e. most pistol calibers)
than with bottle neck rifle calibers.
Reason ? Simple. Less need for brass prep.
No need (almost always) to measure & trim cases..
Use casbide resizing die = no need to lube cases, & have to clean off lube, after resizing the cases.
In 40+ yrs.of hand loading, never trimmed a pistol case on a straight walled cartridge.,
thought I may have measured some, just to check.
Not to say case prep is non-existent on pistol cases, inspection is very important..
as is some form of cleaning, (even if only a wipe-off)
Getting resizing dies adjusted is a bit easier as well, as straight wall cases have no case shoulder ,
you can avoid having shoulder setback issues.
Another few thoughts &, expressions of my opinions for consideration. :
Start with a single stage (or turret press) rather than progressive..
Reasons, ?
1) single stage permits you to focus attention more on each step of the process, reinforcing knowledge & gaining experience on doing each step properly.
2) while a single stage is slower in making rounds, the slower speed helps prevent making errors, and/ or allows greater time to check, & catch that an error was made, so it can be corrected.
3) Single stage press is less expensive, helps lower initial cost of getting started.
4 You )can always find a use for single stage press, if you later decide to move to a turret or progressive press
I will agree that Lee dies are a great choice. Having tried & used most other brands of dies, I have switched to Lee dies for most my loading.
Reason ? : Their collet-held 1 piece stem/decapping pin is unbreakable, & near impossible to bend or damage.
Additionally, rounds loaded with Lee dies are as accurate as any other brand,.. IMO
Good luck in getting started..