Regardless of how it's applied, it's still the kinetic energy that does the work. No kinetic energy, no hole. It just happens that the bullet is a better conveyor of kinetic energy to a target than a 1lb bag of gel because it concentrates said energy into a smaller area and therefore more destructive to tissue. If kinetic energy doesn't have anything to do with killing, what happens if we take it away (i.e. slow the velocity to zero)? Yep, a bullet that isn't moving doesn't kill, does it? To make the bullet lethal it must be moving fast enough, and when we make the bullet move we are adding the kinetic energy that the bullet needs to do its damage to its target. No KE = no wound = no death. You've hung up on HOW the KE is applied (the vehicle), I'm merely stating that it IS the KE that does the job. The amount of KE that's required depends on the size, shape and consistency of the projectile, but it's still ultimately the KE that does the damage.

Mike