Maybe I'm a purist, or just beleive that there is (and should be) a natural progression to these things, but- Start with the RCBS RockChucker kit, it's about $175 IIRC at Wally World, and you get all the basics except a tumbler, powder, dies, primers, brass, bullets.
I spent several years loading just .45ACP and .38SPCL, simple straight wall pistol cases to learn technique before I attempted rifle calibers.
Here's part of the grabber- to develop your loads, (I tailor one to each specific firearm, as opposed to just "OK, here's my receipe for .223") you only will load 5-10 each at a specific powder charge weight, then you'll vary bullets, primers,once you begin obsessing, you'll find yourself trimming brass to different lengths.....but I digress- the point there is sfter the learning curve of discovering what works for you in regards to technique, placement of components on the bench, prepping your brass, setting your dies, and once you've learned some more stuff about checking your work, working efficiently ect, then it's time to move to the progressive and dump another $450.00 into your new obsession.
BTW-There's also a lot of "hidden" expense in developing these loads, a box of bullets cost from $9.00 to $20.00, powders around $17.00 a pound.
Once you have a progressive, (I just got a Dillon RL 550B this spring and LOVE it), the single stage is still good for odd tasks, small lots, and when you just want to be ultra-picky-accurate.
DDofWA is dead balls on...you'll spend the same, but shoot twice as much.
BTW-All.....did anyone else notice reloading 7.62X39 was mentioned and not a single person piped up and said "WTF???? That shit's waaaay to friggin' cheap to not just buy the commie stuff!!!"
Sign-O-the times I guess.