Are you going to purchase bullets or cast your own?
Many of the commercial lead bullets are prelubed when you get them; home cast will require a lube. The type you choose is dictated by the lubricating method and bullet style.
Bullet casters seem to be a thrifty lot, and plenty of folks...
Does anyone know if there are any retail vendors in the region who deal with the bulk pulldown powders?
Alternately, anyone interested in a group buy on WC844 from Hi-Tech Ammo?
Irrelevant question; I have said knowledge. What are you driving towards? OP asked if you can interchange 9mm and 38 bullets, the answer is yes sometimes you can.
You most certainly can in some instances use a lead bullet intended for .38 in your 9mm after you slug the bore and size the bullet appropriately. Lee actually markets a particular 105 gr SWC bullet mold for making both 9mm and .38/.357 projectiles. Not too many lead bullet designs I am aware...
Good advice; I would submit that adding an RCBS 505 scale [or Dillon's version of the same 3 poise scale] to that list is well worth the added cost for a starting setup. Lee's basic scale, while economical, tends to be very frustrating to use. I would hate for any reloader to have equipment...